In an extremely short-sighted move, the current administration is ending the Duration of Status rule that allowed students to pursue higher education and contribute to the innovation and growth of the United States. The following changes will go into effect:
- Fixed Admission Caps: Nonimmigrant students (F visas) and exchange visitors (J visas) will be admitted for the length of their specific program, not to exceed a maximum period of four years.
- Mandatory Federal Extensions: Visa holders requiring additional time to complete an academic program must formally apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) directly through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This transitions oversight from university staff back to federal authorities and subjects (sic) applicants to biometric vetting, background checks, and fraud screenings.
- Reduced Departure Grace Period: The time allowed for F-1 students to prepare for departure, transfer schools, or change status following graduation is reduced from 60 days to 30 days.
- Program Change Restrictions: The rule introduces strict limitations on academic changes.
The final rule will publish (sic) in the Federal Register in the next few days. The rule will go into effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. Current nonimmigrant visa holders residing in the United States under the previous “duration of status” framework will transition to the new system automatically, with their authorized stay capped at a maximum of four years from the effective date of this rule.