The United States has unveiled a proposal that would end indefinite visa stays for foreign students, exchange visitors, and international media workers. The new rule would impose fixed admission periods, requiring extensions to be filed through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Ending Indefinite Stays for Students
Since 1978, international students holding F visas have been admitted under a system called “duration of status.” This allowed them to remain in the U.S. as long as they maintained enrollment in their studies, with no fixed expiration date.
The DHS argues that this flexibility has made it possible for some individuals to remain indefinitely by repeatedly enrolling in programs, creating what critics call “forever students.”.
Under this new rule, Students and Exchange Visitors (F and J visas) would be limited to the time required to complete their program, but capped at four years. Extensions would require an application through USCIS.
For Foreign Media Representatives (I visas), admission would initially be limited to 240 days, with the possibility of one 240-day extension, not exceeding the length of the media assignment.
This means international students and media workers would need to operate within clear deadlines, rather than relying on indefinite stays tied to enrollment or assignments.
