Student Visa Rules Tighten: Four-Year Limit and Restrictions Now Active
International students must now limit stays to four years, request extensions for longer programs, and face new restrictions on changing schools or majors. The rule took effect September 15, reshaping study plans for millions.
Starting September 15, 2026, the Trump administration implemented regulations that create the greatest changes in the student visa process in 50 years. Foreign students and exchange visitors are now limited, based on their program length, to the end date of their specific program, or four years, whichever is shorter, plus a 30-day grace period to depart the United States, apply for an extension, or pursue a different option to remain.
Key Changes for International Students
- International students cannot change majors or transfer schools in their first year
- The grace period for F-1 visa holders to prepare to leave the country or change their immigration status has been shortened from 60 days to 30 days
- Students already in the country can remain through their current program period or up to four additional years
The rule ends a longstanding policy of nearly 50 years that allowed students and visitors to stay in the U.S. for the length of their academic program without needing to apply for a visa extension. Extension applications may be approved if the additional time needed is due to compelling academic reasons, documented medical illness, or circumstances beyond the student's control.
If you are an international student planning to study in the U.S. or already enrolled in a program longer than four years, you should immediately contact your institution's international student office to understand your options. Programs in medicine, law, and advanced degrees may require extensions—file these proactively before your four-year limit approaches.
Sources
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