The U.S. government is ending the decades‑old 'Duration of Status' (D/S) system, limiting all international student stays to a maximum of four years starting this September.
The 'Duration of Status' (D/S) system, which has guaranteed the immigration status of international students in the US for decades, is effectively being eliminated. This week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a new rule that fixes the period of stay for F-1 visa students to a maximum of four years. This regulation is scheduled to apply to all international students starting in mid‑September.
The most critical change is the fundamental nature of the period of stay. Under the old system, a student's stay was automatically extended as long as they continued their studies—the D/S approach. Now, the period of stay is fixed at a 'maximum of four years.' The 60-day grace period previously granted after graduation has also been shortened to 30 days.
If a student cannot complete their studies within four years, they must separately apply for an extension of stay to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and pass a strict review. During this process, students will even have to submit biometric information and undergo a new background check. A procedure that was once a simple matter of a signature from a school official has now become a formal approval process with a federal agency.
If you're thinking, 'My child is in a four‑year undergraduate program, so we should be fine,' or 'As long as they study diligently, there won't be a problem,' you need to look deeper. The real issue with this measure isn't just that the period of stay has been reduced to four years. The far more serious problem is that a student's legal status has shifted from an assumed 'right' to a matter of 'difficult permission' that requires a review each time.
In fact, statistics from the American Council on Education (ACE) show that the average time for an undergraduate student in the US to obtain a bachelor's degree is close to five years. This means that even the majority of typical undergraduate students will now have to pass a new 'visa extension review' just to graduate. Changing majors, pursuing a double major, or taking on an internship—all once possible with simple paperwork—and even taking a single semester off for an unexpected illness, can now become official review subjects that risk the interruption of their studies.
The continuity of a stable academic plan has been completely upended. According to a report from the Institute of International Education (IIE), the number of new international students coming to the US was already on a downward trend due to concerns about visa issuance. This new measure, announced in such a climate, adds the single greatest risk factor to the entire process of preparing for study in the US: unpredictability.
The dates, figures, and sources in this article were verified with primary sources at the time of writing. As official announcements, exchange rates, and policies change frequently, please double‑check the latest information before making important decisions. This article is our interpretation of publicly available data and does not guarantee admission or endorse any specific school.
My child is enrolling in a four‑year undergraduate program. Will they be okay?
It's too early to be certain. The average time to earn a bachelor's degree in the US is nearly five years. Any unexpected delay, such as a double major, internship, or illness, now requires a difficult extension review that carries the risk of interrupting their studies.
How does the visa extension review work?
It is not a simple paperwork renewal. It involves submitting a separate application to USCIS, providing biometric data like fingerprints, and undergoing a strict background and fraud check. Approval is not guaranteed, adding significant uncertainty to academic planning.
Does this new rule apply to students already studying in the US?
Yes, it does. Starting mid‑September, the rule will apply to current students, limiting their stay to a maximum of four years from that date or their I-20 expiration date, whichever is shorter. The new rule will also apply upon re‑entry after traveling abroad.
What changes with the grace period being reduced to 30 days?
After graduation, students must leave the US or change their status (e.g., to OPT for work or to a new graduate program) within 30 days. This is an extremely tight timeline for job searching or arranging a move, so careful planning well before graduation is essential.
What alternatives should we consider?
Many parents are now preparing a 'Plan B' by looking at other English‑speaking countries with more stable immigration policies, such as Canada or Australia. This change has also prompted an increase in inquiries about the feasibility of securing U.S. permanent residency for their children's long‑term career paths.
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