Overview
- The Department of Homeland Security published a final rule that ends the decades‑old “duration of status” system and gives F and J visa holders an initial admission period capped at four years while I‑visa journalists will generally be limited to 240 days with a 90‑day cap for mainland Chinese passport holders.
- The rule is set to be published in the Federal Register on July 17 and would take effect 60 days later unless Congress uses its review power to modify or block it.
- Once effective, people who need more time must file formal extension of stay requests with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that include biometrics, background checks and fees or leave and seek re‑admission.
- The change shortens the post‑completion student grace period from 60 to 30 days and tightens limits on program changes and transfers, measures universities say will add burdens and could deter international enrollment.
- DHS frames the rule as a response to rising numbers of arrivals and monitoring gaps, while media groups and foreign governments warn it could disrupt foreign news coverage and strain diplomatic ties.