The Trump administration has issued final notice of plans to introduce tighter visa rules for foreign students, including limiting how long they can remain in the United States without federal permission.

Under the changes, which are set to come into effect in September, foreign students on F-1 and J-1 visas will no longer be allowed to stay for the full duration of their studies under the existing “duration of status” approach. Instead, the rules will introduce a time limit on length of stay, restricting how long students can remain in the country before they must obtain permission from the US Department of Homeland Security.

Restrictions on transfers and extensions

The Department of Homeland Security said the policy would also narrow student options to switch programmes and transfer between universities and colleges.

Until now, higher education institutions had the authority to grant visa extensions for students. The new rules reduce that flexibility, placing tighter controls on how students maintain their status while studying.

DHS said the policy “combats rampant visa abuse, and strengthens national security through regular vetting”.

New grace period after graduation

The new framework also changes the period students have after completing their course.

Foreign students will be given 30 days to leave the US after graduation or to change to another visa category. This is a reduction from the previous 60-day grace period.

Department officials argued that the previous system allowed students to remain in the US indefinitely. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said that, “for decades, foreign students have been admitted into the US indefinitely, allowing thousands to abuse our immigration system by perpetually enrolling in courses to avoid having to leave the US.”

Duration-of-status set to end

Under the prior rules, F-1 and J-1 students were able to remain in the US as long as it took to complete their degrees. The new policy replaces that approach with a cap, preventing students from staying for more than four years unless they receive permission from the federal government.

Most undergraduate programmes in the US are typically four years, but graduate studies, including doctorates, often take longer to complete. The administration said this could affect fields where students frequently need additional time, particularly in science and technology disciplines.

Graduate courses often require more time and involve research activities that can extend study periods. DHS also noted that funding shortfalls and personal circumstances can lengthen the time needed to finish a programme.

Criticism from international education group

NAFSA: Association of International Educators, a non-profit that advises schools on foreign student enrolment, criticised the new rules.

Fanta Aw, its chief executive, said the policy “injects uncertainty, bureaucracy, and fear into a system that has long worked effectively. It is a solution in search of a problem.”

The new rules form part of a wider Trump administration effort to reduce the number of foreign students in the US and tighten immigration controls. The administration has sought to cap the number of students at some elite colleges and has also moved to revoke visas of students who have been critical of US foreign policy.

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17 July 2026

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Elon Musk, "Phew, got away with it."

Elon Musk never enrolled in his graduate program at Stanford University in 1995 and dropped out to start his company Zip2, rendering his student visa invalid and resulting in a period where he lacked legal work authorization.

More idiocy from the king of ignorance.

Heaven forbid US has students working on doctorates and post-doc programs. US won't have a 'brain drain' if you have an empty tub to begin with

Foreign students who then go on to live and work in the U.S. after graduation has for decades been a free source of the tale talent the U.S. economy needs.

https://www.nafsa.org/sites/default/files/ektron/files/underscore/ie_julaug16_frontlines.pdf

The current Visa policy is already so draconian that people who graduated at the top of their class in MIT cannot get a visa to stay in the US and work. It would be very typical for the street trash goon to make this policy even worse. After all why should a nation retain the best and the brightest when you can stick with your own inferior minds?

Student visa is another way to get in the U.S. and be a student for “years”. Work in the U.S. without any high education degree. There was only one Musk, but millions of them coming for living in the U.S. I used to be a student too. I’ve seen too many of them.

Edited July 18Jul 18 by OneManShow

I wonder what happens to the year of practical experience which was given to graduates before. This allowed graduates time to both get experience and line up an employer to support them for a green card.

Given the number of visas that are granted under fraudulent terms, the system needs to be changed. The US does not have a shortage of skilled workers who are US citizens.

On 7/18/2026 at 9:11 AM, Purdey said:

Elon Musk, "Phew, got away with it."

Elon Musk never enrolled in his graduate program at Stanford University in 1995 and dropped out to start his company Zip2, rendering his student visa invalid and resulting in a period where he lacked legal work authorization.

Education

That happens at all levels. I know a teacher at one college that relies on international students for its survival. She said many would show up on the first day and then disappear (e.g. to go into the workforce illegally working way beyond the P/T hours allowed)

6 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

That happens at all levels. I know a teacher at one college that relies on international students for its survival.

Not at a top US university. You must perform at an exceptionally high academic level. I know as my daughters were at UC Berkeley as "out of state" students who pay a huge extra fee but still less than international students. If you dont perform you are left behind. They knew people who failed and had to leave. Of course at smaller private universities that depend on that extra oney there are exceptions to the rule.

Pays off in the long run though, one now with K2 Space after leaving Space X just after getting her shares, the other in management with Google. 27 years old and doing so very well.

30 minutes ago, marin said:

Not at a top US university.

No. I was talking about these small colleges that were virtually set up to attract bottom feeder international students - with the full knowledge they'd disappear into the workforce after a day or two in classes.

Which screws it up for the legitimate students who really are looking for an education.

5 minutes ago, marin said:

Which screws it up for the legitimate students who really are looking for an education.

Yes. It could have been handled differently. But Trump doesn't like international students regardless of wealth or whether they attend ivy league unis, does he. Trump doesn't like foreign students and he doesn't like elite universities either it seems.