US Tightens Visa Rules: Four-Year Cap on Students, Shorter Stays for Journalists

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued new immigration rules that impose fixed stay periods for holders of F, J, and I category visas, which cover students, exchange visitors, and journalists. The order, announced on July 16, 2026, eliminates what the DHS describes as the “Duration of Status loophole,” which it says allowed foreign nationals to remain in the US indefinitely without routine oversight.

Under the new rules, F-1 student visa holders and J-1 exchange visitors will be admitted for the length of their specific programmes, but for no more than four years. Those who need more time must apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) through the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which will conduct biometric vetting, background checks, and fraud screenings. Additionally, the grace period after graduation for F-1 visa holders — previously 60 days — has been reduced to 30 days.

For I visa holders, which include journalists, the maximum stay is set at 240 days. Chinese nationals on I visas are limited to 90 days.

The DHS states that the rule aims to “restore integrity” to the immigration system, combat visa abuse, and enhance national security. It also asserts that the changes will ensure foreign students remain focused on their studies, the primary purpose of the J visa.

Critics, including commenters during the consultation process, pointed out that according to available data, 56% of undergraduate students take more than four years to complete degrees, and STEM doctoral programmes often require six to seven years. The DHS acknowledged these concerns but said the benefits of increased vetting and reduced overstays outweigh the burdens, placing responsibility on students, researchers, and institutions to seek extensions as needed.

The new policy is expected to create uncertainty for PhD students and research scholars, who may have to conclude their projects within four years or navigate a more complex extension process. A US official source declined to provide further details beyond what is in the document.