US Imposes Four-Year Cap on Foreign Student Stay Under Final DHS Rule

The Department of Homeland Security finalized a rule that ends the duration-of-status for F-1 foreign students, capping stays to four years and requiring status renewals after that period. The rule also sets fixed stay periods for J-1 and I visas, tightens limits on changes to academic plans, and reduces the grace period for leaving the US when status expires, part of ongoing Trump-era immigration policy changes. Higher-education groups warn the policy could disrupt degree completion and send a less welcoming message to international students.