Key points
- A DHS final rule ends the long-standing 'duration of status' system for student, exchange, and journalist visas.
- F student and J exchange visas will be capped at four years; I journalist visas at 240 days, or 90 days for Chinese nationals.
- The post-degree grace period for students drops from 60 days to 30 days.
- The rule takes effect 60 days after Federal Register publication and is subject to congressional review.
The US Department of Homeland Security published a final rule on July 16, 2026 that ends the decades-old “duration of status” system for several non-immigrant visa categories, replacing open-ended stays with fixed expiry dates.
Under the previous system, holders could remain in the country as long as their program continued. That allowed, for example, students to finish a six-year PhD without renewing their status.
The new fixed terms
The rule sets specific limits by visa type:
| Visa type | Holder | New maximum term |
|---|---|---|
| F | International students | 4 years |
| J | Cultural exchange visitors | 4 years |
| I | Foreign journalists | 240 days |
| I | Chinese nationals (journalists) | 90 days |
The rule also cuts the grace period after completing a degree from 60 days to 30 days to find work sponsorship or leave the country. Graduate students will no longer be able to change their educational objectives or transfer schools without authorization.
The government’s reasoning
DHS pointed to rising admission volumes, arguing they make it harder to track non-immigrants. In fiscal year 2024, the US recorded about 1.8 million student visa admissions (an 11% increase over the prior year), more than 500,000 exchange visitor visas, and 37,300 media member visas. The department cited cases of individuals remaining for many years as part of its justification.
What holders can do
Holders may request an extension before their status expires, or leave and reapply for readmission. The rule does not specify how long extension processing will take, or whether applicants can remain in the country while a request is under review.
The reaction
The rule drew criticism. Former DHS official Doug Rand said “most Americans understand the value of welcoming international students and getting rid of needless red tape. This rule would do the opposite.”
David J. Bier of the Cato Institute warned that international students “will now have just 30 days to find an employer to sponsor them or immediately be turned into illegal immigrants.”
Timing
The change takes effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register and is subject to congressional review. Anyone on an affected visa should track the effective date and their own status expiry closely. For an overview of US entry documents, see the United States visa hub.
