The proposed DHS rule change would eliminate "Duration of Status" for F-1 students by replacing open-ended admissions with a fixed four-year limit, requiring formal USCIS extensions for longer programs.
The Department of Homeland Security has submitted the final draft of its F-1 rule to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review. If approved and published, international students would no longer remain in the United States simply by maintaining valid student status. Instead, they would receive an initial admission period of up to four years and must file a formal Extension of Stay with USCIS—including biometrics and fees—if additional time is needed.
The rule would also shorten the post-graduation grace period from 60 days to 30 days and restrict graduate students from changing majors or transferring institutions. These measures would introduce new administrative requirements and reduce flexibility for F-1 visa holders.
The changes coincide with a recent USCIS policy memo limiting Adjustment of Status to extraordinary circumstances. Students pursuing long-term pathways, such as EB-2 National Interest Waiver petitions or employer-sponsored I-140 filings as registered nurses, may face tighter timelines. Planning OPT or STEM OPT work authorization in advance with qualified counsel is recommended.
The rule remains pending and cannot take effect until it clears OMB review, appears in the Federal Register, and completes a 30- to 60-day waiting period. The earliest possible implementation is late summer or fall 2026.