US student visa rules change Sept 15: What international students need to know
The US Department of Homeland Security is implementing new rules for F-1 international students starting September 15, 2026, replacing 'duration of status' with fixed admission periods. Students will now be limited to a maximum of four years per program and face a reduced 30-day departure window after completion.
Why it matters
These changes significantly impact the planning and legal status of international students in the US, potentially complicating academic timelines and post-graduation transitions.
International students in the US will face new rules from September 15, 2026, as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) moves away from the current “duration of status” system for F-1 students. Under the new rule, F students will generally be admitted for a fixed period based on the length of their programme listed on Form I-20, the “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” with the period not to exceed four years. Students who need more time may have to apply for an extension of stay or leave the US and seek a new period of admission when they return.
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