Several universities across the United States (U.S) are advising foreign students to return to campus early and limit unnecessary overseas travel, following a series of sweeping federal regulatory shifts.
The advisories come in response to new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rules that end the long-standing “duration of status” framework—a policy in place since 1978 that allowed foreign students to remain in the U.S as long as they maintained their enrollment.
Under the updated regulations, international students face strict fixed-term admission limits and increased travel scrutiny at ports of entry.
Student (F-1) and exchange visitor (J-1) visa holders are now admitted for a fixed period—capped at a maximum of four years—rather than the full duration of their academic program.
U.S universities can no longer grant program extensions internally to foreign students. Students requiring additional time must now apply directly to the U.S government for approval.
The grace period for foreign graduates to leave the U.S or transition to a different legal status has been slashed from 60 days to 30 days.
Graduate students face tighter rules on changing majors, shifting educational objectives, or transferring institutions without prior government authorization.
Following the new rule, campus international student offices—including those at major research institutions—have sent urgent advisories instructing non-citizen students and scholars to return to the U.S. well ahead of term start dates.
International students currently outside the United States for academic breaks have now been advised by their universities to return before 15 September to remain under the existing immigration framework.
In a notice to students, Columbia University said: “This final rule has a 60-day implementation period. We recommend all students return to New York before the beginning of classes on 8 September 2026.”
The DHS rule will impose a maximum four-year stay for F-1 student visa holders, J-1 exchange visitors, and I visa holders for foreign journalists. It will also reduce the grace period after completing studies from 60 days to 30 days and require students seeking extensions to apply through Form I-539 with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The rule is scheduled to take effect on 15 September. However, students already in the U.S under the current D/S system on that date will be allowed to remain until the programme completion date listed on their Form I-20 or until the end of their approved Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT, provided they continue to maintain their academic status.
The changes are expected to affect hundreds of thousands of international students, including many Indians, raising concerns about uncertainty over future study and work plans.
Khanderao Kand, chief of policy and strategy at the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), criticised the proposal, calling it “a self-inflicted wound on US competitiveness.”
He argued that a four-year cap does not reflect the realities of higher education.
“A four-year cap misaligns with how modern degrees actually work. The median time to complete a bachelor’s degree is about 52 months, while a PhD takes around 5.7 years. USCIS is already dealing with roughly year-long processing times,” Kand said.
He warned that students could be forced to leave before completing their programmes, disrupting research and weakening the US innovation ecosystem.
FIIDS also cautioned that uncertainty surrounding visa extensions could disrupt laboratories, delay graduations and complicate faculty recruitment. Many research-intensive programmes, including doctoral studies, medical training, and J-1 research appointments, typically require 5 to 7 years to complete.
Kand urged the administration to delay implementation of the rule.
“If the goal is to strengthen immigration integrity, it should be done without disrupting degree pathways that power American laboratories and startups,” he said.
