DHS visa proposal impacts F, J, I students.
Currently, these visa holders can remain in the country for as long as their academic or professional programs continue. However, the change would impose stricter timelines, requiring students and scholars to seek extensions more frequently.
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a set of proposed immigration rule changes that could significantly alter the way foreign students, exchange visitors, and foreign media representatives live and study in the country. On Wednesday, DHS revealed that it is moving to replace the current “duration of status” system — a decades-old practice that allowed certain nonimmigrant visa holders to remain in the US as long as they complied with the conditions of their visas — with fixed admission periods that would require more frequent renewals.
The proposal, outlined in a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) issued by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), directly affects three key categories of nonimmigrant visa holders: academic students under the F visa, exchange visitors on the J visa, and representatives of foreign information media, who typically hold the I visa. Under the current system, these individuals are admitted to the US for what is termed the “duration of status” — essentially allowing them to stay in the country for the length of their academic program, training, or employment, provided they remain in compliance with their visa conditions. This flexible approach has long been considered student-friendly, giving individuals time to complete their studies or assignments without the pressure of hard deadlines.
However, DHS now seeks to amend this structure by imposing fixed periods of stay. Under the proposed rules, F, J, and I visa holders would be admitted for a specific, limited timeframe, after which they must either depart or apply directly to DHS for an extension. For example, students enrolled in a four-year undergraduate program may initially be admitted for a set period that is shorter than the actual length of their degree, requiring them to reapply for permission to continue.
This marks a major departure from the current system, which grants greater flexibility and less administrative burden on both the students and the immigration authorities. While DHS argues that the new rules would improve oversight, critics fear it may place additional stress on international students and exchange visitors who are already navigating a complex academic and cultural transition.
The DHS has framed the move as a matter of national security and immigration control. According to the Trump administration, which initially floated the idea, the “duration of status” system lacked sufficient checks to prevent visa overstays and created loopholes that could be exploited by individuals who no longer met their visa requirements but managed to remain in the US without proper oversight. By requiring fixed admission periods and mandatory extensions, the government hopes to tighten its monitoring of nonimmigrants, reduce the possibility of status violations, and ensure compliance with immigration laws.
In its announcement, DHS noted that the changes are intended to “mitigate risks” by making it easier to track visa holders and identify those who may pose security concerns. Officials argue that fixed admission dates will provide clearer boundaries for both visa holders and enforcement authorities, ensuring greater accountability.
How might this affect students and visitors?For international students, the impact could be profound. Many come to the US expecting to complete multi-year degree programs without worrying about mid-course immigration renewals. The proposed rules would mean additional paperwork, uncertainty, and costs, as extensions would require filing with DHS, often accompanied by processing fees. Students could face anxiety about whether their extensions would be approved in time to continue their studies without disruption.
Exchange visitors — who come to the US for cultural programs, internships, or research — may also find their stay more complicated, especially if their programs extend beyond the initial fixed period granted. Similarly, foreign journalists and media professionals working in the US under the I visa would need to closely track their admission timelines to avoid inadvertently falling out of status.
Universities and sponsoring institutions, too, may feel the pressure. International offices, which already play a crucial role in guiding students through the visa process, may face a heavier administrative workload as they help students prepare extension applications and navigate evolving requirements. Critics worry this could deter talented students from choosing the US as their destination for higher education, at a time when competition from countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia is already strong.
The bigger pictureSupporters of the proposal believe it will restore integrity to the immigration system and prevent abuses of the student visa program. Opponents, however, see it as another barrier that could discourage the best and brightest from pursuing opportunities in the US. For decades, America’s higher education system has been a magnet for international talent, fueling innovation, research, and cultural exchange. Policies that make the process more rigid or burdensome risk undermining that reputation.
As the NPRM process unfolds, DHS will collect public comments before finalizing the rule. Advocacy groups, universities, and student organizations are expected to weigh in heavily, pushing back against measures they see as unnecessarily harsh. For now, the proposal has sparked a wave of concern among students and institutions alike, raising questions about whether the balance between national security and America’s long-standing openness to international talent is shifting too far in one direction.