By US Bangla Tribune Staff
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 16, 2026 — The Trump administration has announced a major overhaul of U.S. visa regulations for international students, exchange visitors, and foreign journalists, ending a decades-old immigration policy that allowed many foreign nationals to remain in the United States for as long as they maintained their legal status.
Under the new rule proposed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), most international students on F-1 visas will be admitted for a fixed period of up to four years, replacing the long-standing “Duration of Status (D/S)” system. The change also applies to J-1 exchange visitors, while many foreign journalists traveling on I visas will generally be limited to 240 days.
For decades, students studying at U.S. colleges and universities were permitted to stay in the country until they completed their academic programs, provided they remained enrolled full-time and complied with immigration regulations. The new policy would instead require students whose academic programs extend beyond their authorized stay to apply for an extension through U.S. immigration authorities.
According to DHS, the changes are intended to improve oversight of nonimmigrant visa holders, strengthen immigration enforcement, and establish a more uniform system for temporary admissions.
The proposal is expected to affect hundreds of thousands of international students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, medical, and other long-term academic programs across the United States.
Universities Raise Concerns
Higher education leaders and immigration attorneys have expressed concern that the new requirements could create additional administrative burdens and uncertainty for students and universities alike. Programs that commonly take more than four years to complete—including Ph.D., medical, and certain engineering degrees—may require students to seek extensions before graduation.
Critics also warn that increased paperwork and processing delays could make the United States less attractive as a destination for international students, who contribute billions of dollars annually to the U.S. economy and support research and innovation at American universities.
Extensions Still Available
Immigration experts emphasize that the new regulation does not automatically require students to leave the United States after four years. Those who need additional time to complete their studies may apply for an extension, provided they continue to meet all eligibility requirements and receive approval from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Effective Date
The regulation is expected to take effect 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register, subject to the applicable regulatory process.
The policy marks one of the most significant changes to U.S. student visa regulations in decades and is likely to have wide-ranging implications for international education, universities, and prospective students around the world.
What the New Rule Means
Most F-1 international students will receive a fixed admission period of up to four years.
J-1 exchange visitors will also generally be admitted for a maximum of four years.
Many I visa holders, including foreign journalists, will receive stays of up to 240 days.
Students requiring additional time to complete their studies must apply for an extension before their authorized stay expires.
The long-standing “Duration of Status (D/S)” policy will no longer apply to these visa categories under the new regulation.
