Overview
- The Department of Homeland Security finalized the rule on Thursday, July 16, 2026, replacing the long‑standing “duration of status” system with fixed terms for F, J and I visa holders.
- Under the rule, student and exchange‑visitor admissions are capped at four years while journalist I visas are limited to 240 days and to 90 days for Chinese nationals.
- Extensions must be sought from USCIS and will include biometric vetting, background checks and fraud screening, which critics say could leave students with unlawful status if processing is delayed.
- The regulation tightens academic rules by restricting graduate transfers and changes of educational objective and cuts the post‑completion grace period from 60 days to 30 days, a change that threatens many PhD and long professional programs.
- The rule will take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register and is subject to mandatory congressional review, current visa holders will be moved into the new system automatically and the measure faces likely political and legal challenges.