US visa duration changes: Key rules Indian students should know before September 15

Published 21 July 2026 · india

Trump administration introduces fixed visa stay limits for foreign students (Representative Photo) Key rule changes Fixed four-year admission period replaces 'Duration of Status' Existing students

Trump administration introduces fixed visa stay limits for foreign students (Representative Photo) Key rule changes Fixed four-year admission period replaces 'Duration of Status' Existing students will also move to the new system Extensions will require USCIS approval Post-study grace period cut to 30 days Stricter rules on academic changes Why are universities asking students to return before September 15? Why are education groups concerned? The United States has overhauled its student visa framework, replacing the decades-old "Duration of Status" (D/S) system with fixed periods of admission for F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors.According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the changes are aimed at curbing visa abuse, strengthening security checks and bringing greater federal oversight to international students.The new rules, which take effect on September 15, introduce a maximum four-year stay for most students, shorten the post-study grace period and require government approval for extensions beyond the authorised stay.The changes are particularly significant for Indian students, who now make up the largest international student community in the US.More than 3.6 lakh Indians were enrolled in American universities during the 2024-25 academic year, many of them pursuing master's, doctoral and STEM programmes that often extend beyond four years.While the DHS says the new framework will improve monitoring of foreign students, universities and higher education groups have warned that the additional paperwork and tighter timelines could create uncertainty for students pursuing longer academic programmes.Under the new rules, F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors will no longer be allowed to remain in the US for the duration of their academic programme without a fixed end date.Instead, they will be admitted for the length of their programme, subject to a maximum period of four years.

Students whose courses extend beyond that period will have to seek approval from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to continue their studies.International students already in the US under the old "Duration of Status" framework will automatically transition to the new rules. Their authorised stay will also be subject to the four-year limit from the rule's effective date.Students who need additional time to complete their degree will have to file an Extension of Stay application with USCIS. The process includes biometrics, background checks and additional scrutiny, shifting authority from universities to the federal