US Ends Open-Ended Student Stay System, Sets Four-Year Maximum For F-1 And J-1 Visa Holders

The United States is set to introduce major changes to its international student and exchange visitor system from September 15, 2026, replacing the long-standing Duration of Status arrangement with fixed periods of authorised stay.

Under the new Department of Homeland Security rule, people entering the United States under F-1 student visas and J-1 exchange visitor visas will receive admission for the length of their approved academic or exchange programme, but for no longer than four years at a time.

Students whose programmes continue beyond their authorised stay will have to apply to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services for an extension or leave the country and seek readmission.

What Is Changing?

Under the existing Duration of Status system, many F-1 and J-1 visa holders were allowed to remain in the United States as long as they continued to meet the conditions of their academic or exchange programmes.

The new system will place a specific expiry date on their authorised stay.

The main changes include:

• Admission based on the programme duration, up to a maximum of four years

• A fixed departure date recorded on the student’s immigration documents

• Federal approval required for extensions beyond the authorised period

• Tighter controls on transferring institutions and changing academic programmes

• Restrictions on beginning another programme at the same or a lower academic level

• A shorter departure period for F-1 students after completing study or practical training

The rule will also cover the dependants of F-1 and J-1 visa holders.

Four Years Is A Maximum, Not A Guaranteed Stay

The new rule does not mean every student will automatically receive four years in the United States.

Students will generally be admitted until the programme end date listed on their Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, provided the period does not exceed four years.

For example, a student enrolled in a two-year master’s programme may receive an authorised stay based on that two-year programme rather than the full four-year maximum.

Students in longer programmes, including some PhD, medical and research programmes, may have to seek an extension before their authorised stay expires.

Extensions Will Require USCIS Approval

Students and exchange visitors who need additional time will no longer be able to rely only on their university or programme sponsor updating their records.

They will have to submit an Extension of Stay application to USCIS.

The process may involve:

• Updated academic or programme documents

• Proof that the applicant maintained lawful status

• Biometrics

• Security and background checks

• Evidence explaining why more time is required

• Review by federal immigration authorities

Students will generally be allowed to remain in the country while a properly and timely filed extension application is pending, subject to the conditions of the final rule.

F-1 Departure Period Cut From 60 To 30 Days

F-1 students previously received a 60-day period after completing their programme or authorised practical training to prepare to leave the United States, transfer schools or change immigration status.

Under the new rule, that period will be reduced to 30 days.

During those 30 days, students may have to:

• Leave the United States

• File for a change of immigration status

• Apply for an extension where eligible

• Complete required transfer procedures

• Take the necessary steps related to lawful practical training

The change will give graduating F-1 students less time to finalise travel, immigration or academic arrangements.

J-1 exchange visitors already had a 30-day departure period, so the new rule does not reduce their existing grace period.

Tighter Rules On Changing Courses And Universities

The government is also set to place greater restrictions on academic changes.

F-1 students below the graduate level will generally have to complete their first academic year at the institution that issued their original Form I-20 before transferring or changing their educational objective, unless an exception is granted.

Graduate-level students will face even stricter restrictions on changing programmes after beginning their studies.

Students who complete one academic programme will generally only be allowed to begin another programme at a higher educational level while remaining in F-1 status.

For example, a student who completes a master’s degree may be allowed to begin a PhD, but may not be able to start another master’s or lower-level programme without leaving the country or changing status.

What Happens To Students Already In The US?

International students and exchange visitors who are already in the United States under Duration of Status when the rule takes effect will enter a transition arrangement.

They may generally remain until the programme end date listed on their existing Form I-20 or DS-2019, or for up to four years after the rule’s effective date, whichever comes first.

However, travelling outside the United States during the transition period may trigger conversion to the new fixed-date system when the student re-enters.

Students whose programmes continue beyond their transition deadline will have to apply for an extension.

Universities Advising Students To Check Travel Plans

Some American universities have advised international students travelling abroad to review their documents and return before the new system takes effect.

Students returning after the implementation date may receive a new fixed admission date when entering the United States.

However, students should follow official instructions issued by their own university, DHS, USCIS and US Customs and Border Protection rather than relying only on general social media reports.

Why DHS Introduced The Rule

The Department of Homeland Security says the fixed-period system will improve immigration oversight and make it easier for authorities to monitor whether international students and exchange visitors continue to follow their visa conditions.

The department has cited concerns including:

• Visa overstays

• Fraud and misuse

• Repeated programme changes

• Long periods of stay under student status

• Limited opportunities for direct federal review

• National security and immigration enforcement

Under the new arrangement, federal immigration authorities will review students more directly when they request additional time.

Universities And Education Groups Raise Concerns

International education organisations and universities have warned that the new system could create additional paperwork, uncertainty and delays.

Students pursuing PhDs, medical training, research programmes and other courses lasting more than four years may be particularly affected.

Critics fear that extension delays could interrupt academic research, practical training or employment and make the United States less attractive to international students.

They also argue that universities already closely monitor students through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.

What Nepali Students Should Do

Nepali students studying in or preparing to travel to the United States should carefully check their immigration and academic documents.

Important steps include:

• Confirm the programme end date on Form I-20 or DS-2019

• Check the expiry date on the I-94 record after entering the US

• Contact the university’s international student office

• Avoid making unnecessary programme or university changes without advice

• Apply for an extension before the authorised stay expires

• Review travel plans around the September 15 implementation date

• Keep copies of all visa, academic and immigration documents

Students should not assume that the expiry date printed on their visa stamp is the same as their authorised period of stay. The I-94 admission record will remain especially important.