Kamal Ghorui
The White House is moving closer to a decision on a proposed rule that could change how long foreign students are allowed to stay in the US on F-1 visas.The plan is currently under review at the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and would replace the existing “duration of status” system that allows international students to remain in the US for as long as they are enrolled in a full-time course of study.Instead, the proposed rule would impose fixed stay limits, generally capping F-1 visa holders at four years in the country before they are required to renew their status with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).A similar restriction would also apply to J-1 exchange visitor visa holders, with additional proposed limits affecting members of the foreign media on I visas.The rule was identified as RIN: 1653-AA95 and was sent to OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs on Tuesday, marking one of the final stages before it could be officially published.The proposal revives an idea first raised during the previous Trump administration. It has previously faced opposition from universities and healthcare organisations, which warned that fixed time limits could disrupt students’ academic progress and create unnecessary administrative burdens along with emotional distress and pressure on scholars.The move comes after earlier policy shifts affecting international students, including visa interview delays and cases where thousands reportedly had their legal status affected, which caused uncertainty across US campuses.According to data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, foreign student enrolment at US universities fell this past autumn for the first time in three years.Immigration expert Emily Neumann said the rule is now close to final approval, explaining: “The proposed regulation establishing a fixed time period of admission for F-1 students has been submitted to OMB for final approval. OMB review under the Trump administration has been quite fast so expect a final regulation to be published within the next 2 months or so.”If finalised, the rule would mark a shift away from the current flexible system that has long allowed international students to remain in the US for the duration of their studies without a strict time cap.The White House review is expected to determine whether the proposal moves forward in its current form or undergoes further changes before publication.
