International students in the United States, including more than 3.3 lakh Indians, could soon be subject to stricter immigration rules after the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) finalised a regulation replacing the long-standing “duration of status” system with a fixed period of stay. The rule, which still requires congressional review before taking effect, is expected to significantly impact students enrolled in longer academic programmes.
Under the proposed framework, most F-1 student visa holders will be allowed to remain in the US for up to four years. Those whose courses extend beyond this period will be required to apply to DHS for an extension before their authorised stay expires. Similar fixed-term rules will also apply to J-1 exchange visitors and I visa holders, including foreign researchers, scholars and journalists.
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For decades, international students have been admitted under the “duration of status” system, allowing them to stay in the country as long as they remained enrolled full-time and complied with visa conditions. The new regulation ends that arrangement, introducing a defined expiry date for legal stay.
The Trump administration said the measure is intended to strengthen oversight of temporary visa holders and enhance national security. However, universities and education organisations have warned that the change may create uncertainty for students pursuing doctoral degrees, research-based master’s programmes, medical education and other courses that often exceed four years.
Indian students are expected to be among the most affected. According to the Open Doors 2024 report, more than 331,000 Indian students were studying in the US during the 2023-24 academic year, making them the country’s largest international student community.
Another concern is that students who fail to obtain an extension before their authorised stay ends could begin accruing unlawful presence immediately, unlike under the existing system. Administrative delays or processing backlogs could therefore leave students temporarily out of legal status. Until Congress completes its review and an implementation date is announced, the current “duration of status” framework will remain in force.
