Under a new rule set to take effect on Sept. 15, international students will be limited to a fixed period of time to stay in the United States, the Department of Homeland Security announced this month.
That period of time will be based on the program length listed on their Form I-20, with a maximum of four years in the United States. Students will be required to obtain federal government permission to extend their stay.
Current regulations allow students to remain in the U.S. for as long as it takes to complete their academic program – a practice that’s been in place since 1978.
What else is changing?
The change will also limit when and how students may change their major or academic program.
Students who want to change their degree program or transfer to another school, must complete their first academic year at the school on their initial Form I-20. Graduate-level students will not be allowed to change their program, unless approved by the federal government.
The rule also shortens the departure grace period for F-1 students from 60 days to 30 days after completing their program. For example, a student who graduated on May 15, 2026 would have needed to leave the U.S. by June 14, 2026, unless they had obtained authorization to remain in the country under another status or program.
For students who apply for an extended stay and are denied, there will be no grace period for departing the U.S.
What if a student needs more than four years?
Students looking to stay longer than four years will have to formally apply for an Extension of Stay through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Why is this happening?
The Department of Homeland Security says this “transitions oversight from university staff back to federal authorities and subjects applicants to biometric vetting, background checks, and fraud screenings.”
Who is affected?
International students currently enrolled in universities or colleges in the U.S. are still considered admitted for duration of status. After the rule takes effect on Sept. 15, new and continuing students entering the U.S. will be admitted with a fixed period.
The policy will also impact cultural and educational exchange visitors in the U.S. on J visas, and journalists in the country with an I visa.
Cultural and educational exchange visitors, similarly to international students, will be limited to the length of their program with a maximum stay of four years in the country.
Journalists with I visas will be limited to a stay maxed at 240 days, with journalists from China limited to 90 days. Under current policy, journalists visiting the U.S. are admitted to the country for the length of their assignment.
What is USC saying?
When asked for comment, USC told Annenberg Media “USC’s Office of International Services is in direct communication with our international student community and is conducting a thorough review of the final rule which will take effect on Sept. 15th.”
Once the review is complete, guidance will be posted to the OIS website, according to the office’s current webpage.
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