The United States is moving forward with a major change that could reshape how international students stay in the country under a proposed DHS rule. The proposal focuses on ending the long-standing “Duration of Status (D/S)” system for F-1 student visas and J-1 exchange visas. 

If implemented, it would introduce fixed time limits on how long students can remain in the country without renewing their status.

The rule is currently under review by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which is the final internal checkpoint before a federal regulation is formally published and implemented. 

Current Immigration Rule for Duration of Status (D S) 

At present, international students and exchange visitors are admitted under “Duration of Status.” This means: 

• Students can stay in the U.S. for the entire length of their academic program
• There is no fixed end date on their visa stay in advance
• Schools (via designated officials) can extend a student’s program
• As long as students maintain valid enrollment and status, they do not need frequent federal extensions

In simple terms, a student’s stay in the U.S. depends on their academic progress rather than a fixed time limit under the current system. 

New Proposal Changes 

Under the DHS student visa proposal, the system would shift to a fixed admission period model. Key changes include: 

• A set maximum stay for F-1 and J-1 students, usually up to 4 years per entry into the U.S.
• Students would need to apply to U.S. immigration authorities (DHS/USCIS) if they need more time to finish their studies
• Schools would no longer be able to extend student stays on their own through designated officials (DSOs)
• English language training programs under F-1 visas would be limited to about 2 years (24 months)
• Changing majors or academic programs at the same level would require stricter approval
• Switching schools would have tighter rules, especially early in a student’s program
• The grace period after finishing studies could be reduced from 60 days to 30 days
• Extension requests would require more paperwork and closer review by federal immigration authorities

All in all, under the old system, students could stay in the U.S. for as long as their course lasted, such as 6 years for a PhD, as long as they maintained their status. Under the new proposed system, they would initially be given a fixed stay period, such as 4 years, and would need to apply for government approval if they require additional time to complete their studies. 

The rule is still under review at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If approved, it would be published in the Federal Register for public notice and comment or as a final rule. Implementation would not be immediate and could take several months, depending on the final rule structure and any legal or administrative delays.

Also Read: Updated Visa Rules for USA

FAQs 

Is the U.S. really planning to end “Duration of Status” for students? 

Yes, under a DHS proposed rule, the current open-ended “Duration of Status (D/S)” system would be replaced with a fixed admission period system for F-1 and J-1 visa holders.

What is “Duration of Status” (current system)? 

“Duration of Status” (D/S) means students can stay in the U.S. as long as they are studying full-time, making normal academic progress, and their school keeps their records active using Form I-20 or DS-2019. There is no fixed end date when they enter the U.S. 

What would change under the new proposal? 

If finalized, students would be admitted for a fixed period of up to 4 years, would need to apply to DHS/USCIS for any extension if they require more time, and universities would no longer be able to extend their stay automatically. 

Will universities still manage student visa status? 

Universities would still issue Form I-20 or DS-2019 and manage basic student records, but they would no longer have authority to extend a student’s stay. Any extensions would instead be handled by federal immigration authorities. 

Does this mean students can only study for 4 years? 

Not exactly. The proposal sets a maximum admission period of up to 4 years, but students could still apply for extensions if they need more time. However, those extensions would require approval from DHS and would not be automatic.

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