US moves to overhaul student visa rules

The United States is moving toward one of the most significant changes to its international student visa system in decades, with the White House approving a final rule that would replace the long-standing “Duration of Status” (D/S) framework with fixed periods of authorized stay.

According to reports from Bloomberg Law, the proposed regulation by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has completed review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), clearing a major hurdle before formal implementation.

Under the current system, holders of F-category student visas can remain in the United States for as long as they maintain full-time academic status and comply with visa requirements. The new policy would instead grant students a specific period of authorized stay upon entry, fundamentally changing how international students maintain legal status in the country.

Once that period expires, students who have not completed their studies would be required to apply for an extension through US immigration authorities. Failure to secure an extension could place their legal status at risk.

The new rule is expected to apply not only to F-visa students, but also to J-1 exchange visitors, I-visa holders, and their dependent family members.

The proposed framework would effectively eliminate the “Duration of Status” system that has governed international student admissions for decades. Most students are expected to receive a fixed period of stay, reportedly up to four years in many cases, although final implementation details are yet to be published.

The policy could also introduce stricter oversight of academic progression and visa compliance, reducing some of the flexibility currently available to students pursuing extended degree programs, research projects, or academic transitions.

DHS first introduced the proposal in 2025, reviving an idea that had also been pursued during President Donald Trump's first administration but was never implemented. With White House review now complete, the measure appears significantly closer to taking effect.

Education and immigration experts warn that the change could increase administrative burdens for international students and universities alike. Longer academic programmes, doctoral research, and post-study career planning may face added uncertainty as students navigate periodic extension requirements.

The move could have particularly significant implications for Indian students, who currently represent the largest international student population in the United States, according to data from the Open Doors report.

Analysts say the proposal reflects a broader trend toward tighter immigration oversight and increased scrutiny of temporary visa programs, a shift that could reshape the experience of international students in the world's most popular higher-education destination.