The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has formalised a regulation that introduces a cap on the duration of stay for international students, including over 330,000 Indian nationals. This change replaces the long-standing “duration of status” policy with a fixed limit of four years for those holding F-1 visas. The new rule was announced on July 16, 2026, as reported by Bloomberg.

Under this new directive, students will need to apply for an extension to remain in the US beyond the four-year period, should their academic pursuits extend past this timeframe. Additionally, similar provisions will apply to J-1 exchange visitors and I visas assigned to foreign media personnel.

This regulation is currently awaiting congressional review before being enacted, and it is part of broader immigration reforms introduced by the Trump administration, aimed at enhancing oversight of the visa system.

Ending the Duration of Status System

For decades, international students on F-1 visas have benefited from a system allowing them to remain in the US as long as they upheld full-time enrolment and adhered to visa regulations. This “duration of status” approach has now been repealed, leading to new procedures for students needing to extend their stay.

Once the admission period of four years concludes, students will be required to seek approval from DHS to continue their academic programmes legally. This new structure will extend to J-1 exchange visitors, many of whom are researchers and scholars, as well as journalists on I visas. The DHS has indicated that these changes are intended to fortify temporary visa oversight and enhance national security measures.

The alteration to the ruling is a significant shift in immigration policy, which has seen increased scrutiny over international students amid earlier initiatives like the “Student Criminal Alien Initiative,” resulting in the cancellation of legal statuses for numerous students.

Consequences for Indian Students

Indian students represent the largest group of international students in the US, accounting for nearly 30 per cent of the total among approximately 1.2 million foreign students. According to the Open Doors 2024 report, over 331,000 Indian nationals were registered at US educational institutions for the academic year.

Many of these students pursue degrees that traditionally require more than four years, including doctoral studies, research-based master’s programmes, medical training, and advanced engineering courses. As a result, this new regulation could significantly impact their educational trajectory.

Under the revised system, these students must secure an extension from the DHS before their current authorisation expires to continue their studies legally, adding an additional layer of complexity to their academic journey.

Potential Complications for Students

A concerning aspect of the new regulation is related to the implications for students whose visas expire without a confirmed extension. Unlike the previous system that allowed for continued legal status, students failing to secure timely extensions may start to accumulate unlawful presence in the US.

This means that even minor administrative issues, such as processing delays or paperwork errors, could lead to students being ineligible to remain in the country legally. While the regulation has been finalised, it will not take effect until it has passed a congressional review phase.

Until then, the existing “duration of status” policy continues to operate, providing a temporary relief to students currently studying in the United States.

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