US Advises International Students On F-1, J-1 Visas To Return By August 29

International students in the United States, including thousands from India, have been advised by several universities to return to the country before September 15, 2026, ahead of a major change in US immigration rules governing student and exchange visitor visas. The advisory comes as the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) prepares to implement its new "Final Rule," which will replace the long-standing Duration of Status (D/S) system with a fixed period of admission. The policy change is expected to significantly alter the way F-1 student visas and J-1 exchange visitor visas are administered.

Under the new regulation, F-1 student visa holders, J-1 exchange visitors and I visa holders for foreign journalists will generally be admitted for a fixed period of up to four years, instead of being allowed to remain in the country for the duration of their academic programme. The rule also reduces the post-study grace period from 60 days to 30 days and requires students seeking to extend their stay beyond the authorised period to obtain approval from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by filing Form I-539. The new immigration framework is scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026.

Universities have begun notifying international students about the impending changes. In a notice to its students, Columbia University advised those currently outside the United States to return before the start of classes on September 8, 2026, ensuring they re-enter the country before the new rule comes into force. According to the DHS, students who are already in the United States under the existing D/S system on September 15 will be permitted to continue their studies until the programme completion date listed on their Form I-20 or until the completion of approved Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT. However, this protection will remain subject to an overall four-year limit and cannot extend beyond November 14, 2030, including the departure period.

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The proposed changes have generated widespread concern among international students, education institutions and advocacy groups, particularly because many academic programmes extend beyond four years. Doctoral degrees, medical training and research-intensive programmes often require five to seven years for completion, raising fears that students could face disruptions to their education and research if extension requests are delayed. The requirement for USCIS approval has also raised concerns about processing timelines, as students may face uncertainty while awaiting immigration decisions.

Reacting to the policy, Khanderao Kand, Chief of Policy and Strategy at the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), described the rule as a setback for the United States' global competitiveness. He argued that the four-year cap does not align with the typical duration of bachelor's, doctoral and research programmes and warned that prolonged USCIS processing times could force students to interrupt their studies. FIIDS also cautioned that uncertainty over visa extensions could disrupt research laboratories, delay graduations and affect faculty recruitment dependent on international talent. The organisation has urged the US government to reconsider or delay implementation of the rule to protect students and preserve the country's research and innovation ecosystem.

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