The Department of Homeland Security has finalized a rule on July 16, 2026, that caps the stay of international students on F-1 and J-1 visas at four years, replacing the 'duration of status' framework that had been in place since 1978. The rule, effective September 15, 2026, applies to both new arrivals and students already in the country, sending ripples through California's colleges and universities, which host more foreign students than any other state. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the change aims to curb abuse of open-ended student status and shift oversight from campus advisors to federal authorities.
Under the new rule, F-1 and J-1 visa holders will be admitted only for the length of their academic program, up to a maximum of four years. Students who need more time—such as doctoral and medical candidates in programs that run six or seven years—must apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for an Extension of Stay and pass additional federal vetting. The agency's guidance for students explains that admission will be tied to the program end date on a student's Form I-20, capped at four years. After completing a program, students now have 30 days rather than 60 to leave the country or make their next move. Time spent in Optional Practical Training (OPT) counts toward the four-year limit, and traveling abroad can reset a student's admission clock upon re-entry.
California hosts more international students than any other state. Those students contributed an estimated $6.4 billion to California's economy and supported more than 55,000 jobs in the 2023-24 academic year, according to NAFSA figures cited by the state's attorney general. University of California officials said they are 'deeply concerned' about the change, noting that at UC Berkeley alone, 6,879 students held F-1 or J-1 visas this past fall. Attorney General Rob Bonta had led a coalition of 16 attorneys general opposing the measure while it was still a proposal.
Higher-education groups have warned that the added paperwork and uncertainty could push global talent toward other countries. 'Control over a student's timeline now moves from the university to the federal government,' said Alexander Carl, an attorney with Bolour / Carl Immigration Group. 'For anyone in a longer program like a PhD or medical training, the safest move is to plan for the extension process early rather than waiting until a deadline is near.' The firm advises students to keep their SEVIS records accurate, stay in close contact with their designated school officials, and factor extension timing into their plans well before their four-year window runs out. The immigration attorneys at Bolour / Carl Immigration Group are advising F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and the institutions that host them on how to prepare for the change.
