DHS Proposes First-Year F-1 Rule Blocking Major or School Changes

(UNITED STATES) The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has unveiled a proposal that would bar F-1 visa students from switching academic programs, majors, or institutions during their first year of study, with only narrow exceptions allowed by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), such as a campus closure or a natural disaster. The proposal, published in the Federal Register on August 28, 2025, launches a 30-day public comment period, signaling one of the most sweeping shifts for international students in years. It fits into a broader plan under President Trump to replace the long-standing D/S (duration of status) admission standard with fixed visa durations for students and scholars, and to tighten oversight across student and media categories.

Under the plan, fixed periods of stay would replace flexible timelines tied to program completion, a change that would alter the core rules that have guided international education in the United States 🇺🇸 for decades. For F-1 visas, the proposal sets a cap of up to four years total for the program and any training like OPT, followed by a 30-day grace period for departure—shorter than the 60 days students know today. Separate caps would also apply to English language training (24 months) and public high schools (12 months).

In parallel, DHS has proposed fixed, shorter stays for I visas used by foreign media: up to 240 days, and 90 days for Chinese journalists, with the possibility of applying for extensions.

Policy Changes Overview

The centerpiece of the proposed rule is a first-year lock that prevents F-1 students from switching academic programs or transferring to another institution during their initial year. SEVP could grant exceptions only in rare cases, such as a campus closure or other major disruption.

DHS argues this approach:
– Deters “program hopping”
– Clarifies admissions timelines
– Prevents “forever student” scenarios where individuals string together many small programs to prolong their stay

Key elements of the model:
– Replaces open-ended D/S with fixed time periods
– Most F-1 admissions would be pegged to program length but cannot exceed four years overall (including OPT)
– Post-completion grace period trimmed to 30 days
– English language study capped at 24 months
– Public high school enrollment capped at 12 months

A strict review culture is central to the proposal:
– No deference to prior approvals when students apply to extend status
– Each extension would be reviewed from scratch, increasing requests for evidence, possible new biometrics, and supporting proof
– Critics warn this will create delays, surprise denials, and added uncertainty for academic timelines

Policy also affects the I visa (foreign media):
– 240 days general maximum admission
– 90 days for journalists from China
– Extensions remain possible but subject to renewed scrutiny

Technical dependency:
– DHS acknowledges necessary updates to the <a href="https://www.ice.gov/sevis">SEVIS</a> database
– If SEVIS upgrades are not feasible on schedule, implementation could be delayed or paused
– Until a final rule is published and effective, current rules—including D/S and existing first-year flexibility—remain in place

Impact on Students and Universities

Immediate effects of the first-year freeze:
– Diminished flexibility when students discover new academic interests or encounter early obstacles
– Common early pivots—such as moving from engineering to computer science or transferring to a better-fit school—would generally be barred unless SEVP grants an exception

Graduate students:
– Also subject to a first-year freeze on program or level changes
– Limits midstream adjustments tied to adviser changes, grant shifts, or research funding moves
– DHS also proposes that after completing a program at a certain level, an individual could be ineligible to return in F-1 status for another program at the same or lower level

Combined pressures from fixed stays:
– Four-year cap and 30-day grace period compress timelines
– Lack of deference means extension applications start from zero, heightening risk for students facing normal academic hiccups
– Unlawful presence would begin the day after the fixed admission end date, risking three- or ten-year reentry bars for even small overstays

Institutional and economic concerns:
– Universities reliant on international enrollment fear a drop in applicants
– Potential impacts include reduced tuition revenue, fewer research staff, housing and program cuts, and decreased campus diversity
– A decline in international students could harm research partnerships, local economies, and informal cultural exchange

Effects on OPT and hiring:
– Even without direct changes to OPT, the proposal’s tone could chill student and employer willingness to invest in U.S. degrees
– Employers may hesitate to hire graduates if they expect heavier paperwork, shorter onboarding windows, and less certainty about work authorization timing

Administrative burden:
– Designated School Officials (DSOs) would face increased counseling, preparation of exception requests to SEVP, and more responses to evidence requests
– More staff hours, increased document handling, and greater risk of small errors becoming status-threatening problems

Administration’s rationale vs. campus response:
– Supporters argue fixed timelines and first-year anchors improve planning and curb misuse
– Campus leaders counter that most students already plan carefully and need flexibility for life events—illness, family emergencies, lab closures, or funding changes

Broader enforcement context:
– The proposal comes amid tighter consular controls, including more in-person interviews and deeper reviews of applicants’ online presence
– Narrower use of interview waivers and greater scrutiny of past social media activity add pressure pre- and post-arrival

Response from higher education and advocates:
– Universities, professional associations, and immigration attorneys plan detailed comments arguing the rule could harm the U.S.’s global academic standing and reduce campus diversity
– Real-life scenarios highlighted by critics:
– A freshman discovering a passion for teaching after an education seminar
– A sophomore transferring because a parent lost their job
– A master’s student whose adviser departs midyear

VisaVerge.com analysis:
– The proposal revives elements from 2020 but extends fixed durations across multiple visa categories and tightens first-year mobility
– There is widespread concern that these moves could chill applications from key sending countries

Timeline and What Happens Next

Public comment window:
– The rule is open for a 30-day public comment period starting August 28, 2025
– Certain technical components (like SEVIS changes) may get longer feedback windows—up to 60 days—to allow schools and systems to adapt

DHS process:
– DHS will review comments and may revise the rule before a final version is published
– An effective date will be set after the final rule; parts of the plan could be delayed if SEVIS cannot be updated in time
– Until the final rule takes effect, current law remains unchanged

Practical steps for students and schools during the comment window:
1. Read the proposal and prepare evidence-based comments that describe real impacts on students, programs, and campus operations.
2. Gather data on frequency and causes of first-year changes and the outcomes of those changes.
3. Review internal processes to reduce errors that could become costly under fixed timelines (e.g., missed SEVIS updates).
4. Coordinate with peer institutions to share best practices and submit joint comments for stronger influence.

SEVP guidance and clarity:
– DHS must provide clear standards for SEVP exception requests (e.g., what qualifies as a campus closure or lab shutdown)
– Without clear guidance, students and schools risk long delays or denials when seeking exceptions

Consular processing and documentation:
– Stricter interview practices and review of online activity remain part of the wider enforcement environment
– Applicants should prepare consistent stories across funding documentation, school records, and public profiles

Supporters’ and opponents’ final points:
– Supporters: clear guardrails, better planning, and reduced misuse; extensions remain possible
– Opponents: extensions will be harder—no deference to prior approvals means fresh evidence and potential long waits that could spoil graduation or job start dates

International competition:
– The U.S. competes with Canada, the U.K., Australia, and others for global talent
– More restrictive rules could drive students to countries that allow earlier program changes and flexible, academically tied extensions
– A drop in enrollment could reduce tuition revenue, research output, and the cultural benefits of international exchange

Call to action and guidance:
– DHS is asking for detailed public input during the short 30-day window
– Universities and student groups are preparing comments that highlight harms and propose alternatives
– Counselors advise students to:
– Stay in close contact with international student offices
– Avoid making impulsive decisions based on headlines
– Attend orientation and follow updates from their school

For now, the main message is simple: nothing changes until DHS finalizes the rule and sets an effective date. Students considering switching academic programs this semester should work with their Designated School Official and proceed under current law. If finalized in the coming months, the rule will not be retroactive; the final text will specify applicability and timing.

Readers can review official government information about student status and school compliance through the SEVP’s resource hub at SEVP (SEVIS). Institutions and national associations are preparing campus-specific guidance and templates for public comments. As the comment period unfolds, it will become clear whether DHS narrows the first-year ban, adds more exceptions, or keeps firm on a rule that could reshape the path to a U.S. degree for years to come.

Key takeaway: Until the final rule is published and an effective date set, current protections—including D/S, the ability to change programs or schools as allowed today, and a 60-day post-completion grace period—remain in effect. Students should coordinate closely with their international offices and consider submitting evidence-based comments during the 30-day public comment period.