US weighs major student visa change as ‘duration of status’ rule reaches final review

The administration of US President Donald Trump is reviewing a rule that could limit how long international students can stay in the United States before renewing their legal status. The proposal, now under review at the White House Office of Management and Budget, would require students on F-1 visas to renew their status after four years instead of remaining in the country for the full duration of their academic programme.

According to a report by Bloomberg Law, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has sent the final version of the regulation for White House review, which is the last step before public release.

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Proposed rule may end ‘duration of status’ system

At present, international students studying in the US under the “duration of status” system can stay in the country as long as they continue full-time studies and maintain visa conditions. The proposed rule would end that framework and replace it with fixed-term stay periods.

The proposal was first circulated last year and revives a policy idea from the first Trump administration. College associations and healthcare organisations had earlier opposed similar plans, saying they could create additional paperwork and affect students’ ability to complete degrees on time.

As per the Bloomberg Law report, proposed changes come after several immigration-related actions that affected foreign students in recent years. These included a temporary pause on visa interviews and cancellation of lawful status for thousands of students.

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The rule under review also proposes new limits on the stay period for J-1 exchange visitors and foreign media representatives holding I visas.

The development comes at a time when foreign student enrolment in US universities has declined. Data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, cited in the report, showed international student enrolment fell in the latest academic year for the first time in three years.

The final rule is currently being reviewed by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs under the White House budget office.