DHS Proposal Ends “Duration of Status,” Sets Fixed Visa Stay Limits

The Department of Homeland Security is proposing to end “Duration of Status” for academic, exchange, and media visitors and replace it with fixed admission limits tied to each person’s program. The rule is set to be published in the Federal Register on August 28, 2025, starting a 30-day public comment period. If finalized, this would reshape how F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and I visa media workers live and study or work in the United States 🇺🇸, and it would affect schools, research labs, and news organizations across the country.

Under the plan, most F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors would be admitted for a Fixed Duration of up to four years, connected to the length of their program, with a shorter 30-day grace period at the end. That compares to the current system known as Duration of Status, which lets people stay as long as they follow the rules of their visa and program, plus a longer grace period for many F-1 students.

• English-language learners and high school students would face tighter limits.
• I visa holders—foreign media representatives—would have a set admission window as well, with an extra restriction for Chinese nationals.

DHS says it wants stronger oversight and more uniform rules. Officials argue the change would curb long stays and reduce what some call “forever student” cases. The plan follows a 2020 effort under President Trump that was later withdrawn by President Biden in 2021. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the shift away from Duration of Status would be the most sweeping change to these categories in nearly five decades, with major ripple effects for schools and employers that rely on global talent.

Policy Changes Overview

The proposal would apply to F-1 students, F-2 dependents, J-1 exchange visitors, J-2 dependents, and I visa media representatives. DHS estimates it will affect about 2 million nonimmigrants each year. The core changes include:

• F-1 and J-1 move from open-ended Duration of Status to a Fixed Duration of admission, capped at four years, tied to the program length.
• The grace period after the program ends drops from 60 days for many F-1s to 30 days for all covered categories.
• English-language training limited to 24 months total, including breaks.
• High school students limited to 12 months total, including breaks.
• I visa media workers: up to 240 days per admission; Chinese nationals on I visas limited to 90 days per admission.
• All F, J, and I visitors who need more time must file an extension directly with USCIS, rather than relying on school or sponsor updates alone.

Today, schools and J-1 sponsors use SEVIS updates and new documents (like an updated I-20 or DS-2019) to keep a student or scholar in status during a longer program. Under the proposal, that would no longer be enough. To stay past the end date on the I-94 admission record, a person would have to submit a formal application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services with supporting papers and biometrics.

• In most cases, that means filing Form I-539, Application To Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.
• USCIS processes would apply to F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, and I visas alike.
• Readers can find the form here: Form I-539, Application To Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.

Another major shift is how the government would count time in the country after the allowed period ends. Under the plan, unlawful presence would begin as soon as the fixed admission period runs out, unless a timely extension application is pending or approved.

• This is a sharp change from current F, J, and I rules, where unlawful presence usually starts only after an officer finds a status violation.
• The new approach would align these categories with other nonimmigrant visas and could raise the chance that a person triggers the three-year or ten-year reentry bars for overstays.

The proposal arrives alongside a consular change: starting September 2, 2025, the Department of State will sharply limit interview waivers for student and exchange categories.

• Most F and J applicants—including many renewals—will need in-person interviews at U.S. consulates and embassies.
• That step will likely lengthen wait times and add travel costs for students and scholars who must renew visas while abroad.

DHS projects extension filings will rise over time. Over a decade, the department expects around 205,000 F extensions, 203,000 J extensions, and 6,000 I extensions. The volume adds pressure to an already busy USCIS and could lead to longer processing times, especially around the start and end of school terms.

Concerns from Schools, Sponsors, and Advocates

Universities, exchange sponsors, and international advisors worry that requiring individual USCIS extensions for routine program changes would add cost, delay, and uncertainty to a system that already uses close tracking through SEVIS.

• International students and exchange visitors check in with schools and sponsors frequently, and compliance is monitored through reporting and audits.
• Miriam Feldblum of the Presidents’ Alliance warns that extra paperwork could shake student confidence in choosing U.S. programs.
• Fanta Aw of NAFSA says the rule could hurt research, the economy, and the country’s appeal, as competitors in other countries offer simpler student policies.

Early numbers suggest strain in the pipeline:

• A 2025 survey by the Institute of International Education found 35% of U.S. colleges reported fewer international applications this year, up from 17% the year before.
• Leaders in higher education fear that a fixed admission clock—paired with in-person interview requirements—may push students to look elsewhere.

Even short, unexpected delays (a lab project runs long, a required class is full, a health issue interrupts a semester) could now force a USCIS filing, biometrics, and a wait that puts graduation or internships at risk.

Impact on Students, Scholars, and Media

For many international students, the fixed clock may be the most noticeable shift. Programs do not always fit a strict schedule—a thesis takes longer, a research subject changes, or required classes are offered infrequently.

• Under Duration of Status, a school could extend an I-20, keep SEVIS records current, and the student would stay in good standing.
• Under the proposal, ordinary shifts could force a USCIS extension filing well before the I-94 end date.
• Students would need to collect records, pay fees, attend biometrics, and wait for a decision while staying on track in school.

Exchange visitors face similar pressures:

• J-1 research fellows and scholars often adjust timelines as grants, lab access, or fieldwork shifts.
• With a fixed admission and a 30-day grace period, scholars must watch their I-94 end date closely and file extension requests with strong evidence of the ongoing program.
• Dependents (F-2, J-2) would be tied to the principal’s timeline, affecting family plans such as children’s school enrollment.

The rule changes the risk of an overstay:

• Because unlawful presence would start right after the fixed period ends, a missed deadline could quickly lead to serious immigration consequences.
• A student might assume a school update is enough or rely on delayed mail; under the plan, timely filing and careful tracking are critical.

Consular changes add another layer:

• With interview waivers limited from September 2, 2025, most students and exchange visitors needing a new visa stamp will face in-person interviews.
• Consulates often have long waits during busy seasons; travel plans may need to include extra days abroad.
• This could disrupt internships, research trips, or holiday plans.

For media organizations:

• Shorter I visa admissions—especially the 90-day cap for Chinese nationals—will require tighter scheduling.
• Editors planning coverage for major events must factor in status end dates and possible USCIS extension timelines.
• An extension denial could force a sudden departure mid-assignment.

DHS frames these steps as tightening compliance, reducing abuse, and addressing security concerns. Supporters see fixed terms as a clearer, universal rule that reduces rare long, open-ended stays.

Opponents argue the U.S. risks losing its edge in education and research as other countries adopt friendlier student policies. They point to real-life impacts: a missed class offering or an unexpected lab closure could now trigger immigration consequences rather than an administrative academic fix.

DHS estimates underline the scale of the shift: 2 million people affected yearly across F, J, and I categories, with hundreds of thousands of USCIS extension filings over a decade. That surge will require staffing and clear guidance to prevent backlogs that could delay start dates, truncate research windows, or disrupt media coverage.

Timeline and What to Do Now

The proposed rule will be published on August 28, 2025, and the 30-day public comment period starts the same day. Anyone—students, schools, employers, families—can submit feedback. The Federal Register will host the official text and instructions for comments: Federal Register.

If the rule is finalized, a typical case would work like this:

1. Admission for a set period:
   • Up to four years for most F-1 and J-1 programs.
   • 24 months for English-language training.
   • 12 months for high school.
   • 240 days for I visa media workers (90 days for Chinese nationals).
2. A 30-day grace period to depart, transfer, or file an extension.
3. To stay longer, file Form I-539 with biometrics and evidence before the I-94 end date; keep receipts and attend appointments.
4. Unlawful presence begins the day after the fixed period ends if no timely extension is filed or if a person stays after a denial.
5. For visa renewals abroad, plan for in-person consular interviews after September 2, 2025, and allow extra time for scheduling and processing.

Practical steps for individuals and institutions:

• Check I-94 records often and note the end date. Do not assume a school or sponsor update alone extends your stay.
• For students: work with your international office early if your program may run long. Get a clear extension filing timeline and list of documents.
• For J-1 scholars: coordinate with your sponsor and host department to align project milestones with status dates.
• For media: assign coverage with status limits in mind; build in time for Form I-539 filings and possible biometrics.
• Keep copies of I-20s, DS-2019s, I-94s, receipts, and notices in one place to prove timely filing if needed.
• Stay alert to consular interview requirements when planning travel. Avoid trips that fall close to the end of your admission period.

Important: Missing a deadline can trigger immediate immigration consequences. Under this proposal, unlawful presence could start the day after the fixed admission ends unless a timely, properly filed extension application is pending.

The Broader Debate

The proposal echoes a 2020 push under President Trump and a full withdrawal in 2021 under President Biden. This time, DHS says stronger oversight is the goal, with a system that sets clear limits and requires direct extensions with USCIS.

• Supporters: fixed terms are cleaner, more uniform, and reduce the rare long open-ended stays that complicate oversight.
• Opponents: new hurdles could push talent away from the U.S. just as other countries roll out simpler student paths.

The 2025 IIE survey showing 35% of colleges with fewer international applications intensifies concerns that the U.S. could become a less attractive destination.

As the comment period opens, DHS will hear from universities, sponsors, businesses, media outlets, and individuals who work within these rules daily. Agencies will see data about completion times, lab access, and course availability that do not always fit a neat four-year window.

For many, the central question is simple: can a fixed clock handle the messy, human side of study and research? The answer will shape how the United States welcomes students, scholars, and journalists in the years ahead.