Overview
- The Office of Management and Budget cleared the final DHS regulation in mid‑June (June 16–19), and the rule will be published in the Federal Register and take effect after a 60‑day implementation period.
- The rule replaces Duration of Status with a fixed authorized period tied to a programme and generally caps stays at four years for F‑1 and J‑1 holders.
- Key procedural changes include a cut in the F‑1 post‑completion grace period from 60 to 30 days, a 24‑month cap on language‑training stays, and new limits on transfers and programme changes for undergraduates and graduates.
- Extensions beyond the authorised period will move from school officials to USCIS and require filing Form I‑539, biometric collection, a filing fee, and proof of continued eligibility under discretionary standards.
- Students, universities, education consultants and advocacy groups—notably large cohorts from India—warn the rule could disrupt degree completion, delay research and threaten college revenue tied to CPT and OPT work programmes that feed the H‑1B pipeline.