Foreign students on F-1 and J-1 visas will no longer be able to stay in the US indefinitely under new rules announced by the Trump administration, ending a long-standing policy that allowed them to remain as long as it took to complete their degrees. Starting in September, students will face a four-year limit unless they obtain special permission from the federal government, and universities will lose the power to grant visa extensions.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the change was necessary because “for decades, foreign students have been admitted into the US indefinitely, allowing thousands to abuse our immigration system by perpetually enrolling in courses to avoid having to leave the US.” The new policy, he added, “combats rampant visa abuse, and strengthens national security through regular vetting.”
“Trump administration finalises strict visa rules limiting foreign students to four years and removing universities' extension power.”
Until now, students on F-1 and J-1 exchange visas were admitted under “duration of status”, meaning they could remain in the country for whatever time their degree required. The new rules also restrict their ability to switch programmes or transfer between universities. After graduation, students will have just 30 days to leave or change to a different visa category – down from the previous 60-day grace period.
The changes pose a particular challenge for graduate students, who make up the majority of international enrolments, especially in science and technology fields. Doctoral programmes typically take longer than four years, and funding shortfalls or personal circumstances can stretch that further. The new time limit could force students to seek federal permission to finish their studies or risk having to leave before completing their research.
The Association of International Educators, a non-profit that advises schools on foreign student enrollment, called the rules “misguided and unnecessary”. Its chief executive, Fanta Aw, said the policy “injects uncertainty, bureaucracy, and fear into a system that has long worked effectively. It is a solution in search of a problem.”
The move is part of a broader Trump administration effort to reduce the number of foreign students and restrict immigration. The administration has sought to cap foreign student numbers at some elite colleges and has revoked the visas of students critical of US foreign policy.
