US Ends Duration of Status for Students: F-1 Visa Holders Face Four-Year Stay Limit

The United States will introduce a major change to its student visa system from 15 September 2026, replacing the current "Duration of Status" model with a fixed admission period of up to four years for F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors and I visa holders.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed that the new rule has been published in the Federal Register. Under the revised system, international students will no longer be allowed to remain in the country for as long as they are enrolled in an approved programme. 

Instead, they will receive a fixed period of admission and must apply to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an Extension of Stay if they need more time to complete their studies. Although a four-year limit will cover many degree programmes, the changes will have greater implications for students whose courses extend beyond that period. 

The rule also reduces the post-study grace period from 60 days to 30 days, giving graduates less time to apply for jobs or move to another visa category after completing their studies. The shorter grace period is expected to affect many master's students, including those from India who typically complete two-year programmes. 

Sanjay Laul of MSM Unify said the reduced timeframe will make it more difficult for graduates to secure employment and complete visa-related processes before their permission to remain expires. Doctoral and research students are likely to face greater challenges because many PhD programmes take between five and seven years to complete. 

These students will need to apply for an Extension of Stay during their studies, a process that includes application fees, biometric appointments and the possibility of administrative delays. Aman Singh of GradRight said the new system also makes it more difficult for students to transfer institutions, change majors or begin a second degree at the same academic level, as these changes may require them to leave the United States and return with a new admission period.

The rule also introduces stricter requirements for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows eligible students to work after completing their studies. Students waiting for a decision on an extension application will continue to receive work authorisation for up to 240 days. 

However, the tighter compliance rules mean students will need to keep their documents up to date and submit applications on time. Laul advised the approximately 360,000 Indian students currently in the United States to apply for OPT as early as possible and avoid unnecessary programme changes, as errors under the new system could have more serious consequences.

The DHS said most international students are expected to complete their studies within the four-year admission period. However, the new rules introduce additional administrative requirements for students enrolled in longer courses, making long-term academic planning more complex.

Universities and international students are now preparing for the changes before they take effect in September 2026.