(UNITED STATES) The United States 🇺🇸 is preparing a major shift for international students and exchange visitors: the long-used “duration of status” will give way to fixed-term limits for F-1 and J-1 visas. The White House cleared the proposal on August 7, 2025, after the Department of Homeland Security sent it to the Office of Management and Budget on June 27. Publication in the Federal Register is expected soon, opening a 30–60 day public comment period.
If finalized, students would no longer stay for as long as their programs require without a set end date; instead, they would hold time-limited status and seek extensions when needed.
According to DHS and the State Department, officials frame the change as a response to security and compliance concerns. Universities and higher education groups warn of new uncertainty, especially for long programs. VisaVerge.com reports that the draft centers on predictable terms—likely 2–4 years—with a pathway to extend through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for students who need more time.
Policy changes overview
Under the proposal, F-1 and J-1 holders would receive status for a predetermined period rather than an open-ended “D/S.”
- When a program runs longer than the grant of status, the student would have to file for an extension with USCIS, most likely on Form I-539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status).
- The State Department plans to end most interview waivers and require in-person interviews for F-1, F-2, J-1, and J-2 applicants starting September 2, 2025.
- Officials also signaled tougher checks, including “aggressive revocation” of visas for certain Chinese and Hong Kong nationals in sensitive fields and broader social media vetting.
- Since June 9, 2025, there have been partial suspensions of student visa issuance for nationals of Cuba, Venezuela, and some other countries, with limited exceptions.
The mechanics will feel familiar to anyone who has extended status in the past: maintain SEVIS compliance, apply before the end date, and await a USCIS decision. What is new is that everyone would have an actual expiration date tied to the F-1 or J-1 classification, rather than an open-ended period tied to ongoing enrollment or program activity.
This plan mirrors a 2020 proposal under President Trump that would have replaced duration of status with fixed terms. That rule did not take effect; it was withdrawn by President Biden after intense pushback from universities and international education groups. The 2025 move revives the time-bound model, with officials framing refinements around fraud prevention and immigration control. Higher education associations, including NAFSA and the American Council on Education, argue the change could drive talent elsewhere.
The interview shift is notable: during the pandemic, consulates used waivers to reduce backlogs. Re-adding interviews for most student cases will likely lengthen appointment queues in busy posts. Country-specific limits compound the picture—students from Cuba and Venezuela already face partial suspensions, and added screening for some Chinese and Hong Kong applicants could slow decisions in high-demand STEM fields.
Impact on students and institutions
Fixed terms introduce more moving parts for long programs, especially PhD tracks and fields such as engineering, computer science, and health where four or more years are common.
Example scenario:
1. An Indian doctoral student starts a five-year program on a four-year grant of status.
2. Before the end date, they file Form I-539 with USCIS for an extension, with university support.
3. If processing slows or the request is denied, the student could face a break in studies or a forced departure.
Context and scale:
– In 2024, over 420,000 Indian students were enrolled in U.S. institutions; many are in programs that run beyond four years.
Universities warn of:
– Additional paperwork and costs for students and international offices.
– Strain on first-time entrants and returning researchers due to consular interview mandates.
– Potential diversion of applicants to countries that issue multi-year study permits with fewer mid-program hurdles (per VisaVerge.com analysis).
DHS and the State Department emphasize national security and compliance:
– They argue that clear end dates make it easier to track status, deter misuse, and address noncompliance.
– Officials say students who follow rules would be able to complete programs by securing extensions in a timely way.
Timeline and next steps
Once the notice appears in the Federal Register:
– The public will have 30–60 days to comment.
– DHS will review feedback and issue a final rule.
– Officials have not posted an effective date, but the administration aims for late 2025, subject to rulemaking and any legal challenges.
The interview requirement set for September 2, 2025 is separate and will apply sooner, barring changes.
Important: Nothing changes until the final rule is published.
Recommended preparations for students and schools:
– Draft plans identifying who may need extensions and when.
– Review SEVIS record accuracy.
– Identify funding and documents that support continued study.
– Map timelines for at-risk cohorts—PhD candidates, dual-degree programs, and students who paused studies.
Practical steps and resources:
– Applicants should complete the nonimmigrant visa application DS-160 through the State Department’s Consular Electronic Application Center at https://ceac.state.gov/CEAC/ and plan for long lead times at busy consulates.
– Those who will need to extend status after arrival should review Form I-539 at https://www.uscis.gov/i-539 and gather evidence early (updated program end dates, proof of funding, etc.).
– For official student visa information, consult the State Department’s Student Visa page at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html.
Practical takeaway: Build time buffers. Start extension paperwork early and expect longer consular processing in many posts.
Policy debate and possible adjustments
The policy debate is not only technical—study in the United States is a years-long commitment tied to major costs and life plans.
- A firm end date can bring clarity, but it can also add stress if the extension path feels uncertain.
- Colleges warn tight extension windows could interrupt lab work, field research, or dissertation milestones.
- Students from countries facing partial suspensions or added vetting may need even longer timelines.
During the comment period DHS may:
– Adjust term lengths.
– Carve out categories with longer initial grants.
– Refine extension adjudication standards.
Advocacy groups plan to press for safeguards to reduce the chance a student’s studies end midstream because of paperwork or backlogs. Universities are also asking for clear guidance on how Optional Practical Training (OPT) lines up with fixed terms.
Broader implications
The United States remains the world’s top study destination, with more than a million international students each year. Whether fixed terms help or hurt that position will depend on:
- Final rule details
- Processing speed at consulates and USCIS
- How smoothly agencies handle the extra workload
For now, students, sponsors, and schools should:
– Watch for the Federal Register notice
– Prepare comments during the public comment window
– Build time buffers into plans and timelines to reduce disruption risk
This Article in a Nutshell
The U.S. plans to replace “duration of status” with fixed F-1 and J-1 terms, likely two-to-four years. Cleared August 7, 2025, the proposal begins a 30–60 day Federal Register comment period. Students must plan extensions via Form I-539, expect in-person interviews and heightened vetting at consulates.
