- The United States is replacing duration of status with fixed visa terms for students and media.
- A maximum four-year stay limit will now apply to F, J, and I visa holders.
- India’s Ministry of External Affairs is taking up student difficulties directly with Washington authorities.
India's Ministry of External Affairs said on July 17 that it is taking up problems with Washington after the United States replaced the decades-old "duration of status" system with fixed visa terms for student, exchange visitor and media admissions. The clock is now set. The change takes effect on September 15, 2026.
Markwayne Mullin said the old system invited abuse and weakened screening. He used blunt language.
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"For nearly half a century, the outdated 'duration of status' system has compromised national security and created an environment ripe for immigration fraud. For decades, foreign students have been admitted into the U.S. indefinitely, allowing thousands to abuse our immigration system by perpetually enrolling in courses to avoid having to leave the U.S. By implementing clear, finite limits on these visas, the United States is reclaiming its ability to properly screen, vet, and monitor individuals within our borders."
The new rule puts F, J and I visa holders on fixed admission terms tied to the program. It caps that stay at a maximum of four years. Anyone who needs longer must file a formal Extension of Stay (EOS) application with USCIS. The process is discretionary.
India has more at stake than many countries. Open Doors 2025 counted 363,019 Indian students in U.S. institutions, nearly 31% of all international students. Indian nationals are among the largest affected groups. Many Ph.D. candidates and medical residents take more than five years to finish. The new limit reaches them first.
India says it will keep raising problems as they surface
Randhir Jaiswal said visa rules and immigration matters remain sovereign functions, but India raises difficulties brought to its attention for genuine travellers and students. He spoke at a bi-weekly media briefing. The message was plain.
"Visa rules and visa functions and immigration matters are sovereign functions of any state. But having said that, let me tell you that as and when there are issues of difficulties, which are brought to our attention, in regard to genuine travellers [and] students. we take up those issues with the US side so as to minimise the difficulties that our people face."
Longer degrees will need more paperwork. Ph.D. tracks and medical residencies often run beyond five years. A four-year clock now forces another filing step. It changes the path.
On September 15, 2026, the post-completion grace period for F-1 holders falls from 60 days to 30 days. The calendar gets tighter.
