The United States is a leading destination for international higher education. As of the latest count, 1,117,766 international students study in the country, attracted by high-quality programs and a diverse environment. This represents 6.1% of the total higher education population of 19,247,640. Although international students typically pay higher tuition than U.S. citizens and green-card holders, many students are willing to pay for the opportunity to achieve their academic goals. However, since Donald Trump became the 47th president, international students may face increased risks because visa policies are under review.
Trump has been promoting stricter immigrant policies in the name of U.S. citizens’ interests and security. As a result, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed a rule affecting F, J, and I visas. The proposed rule would abolish the “duration of status” (D/S) and shorten the time international students may remain in the U.S. after graduation or post-completion optional practical training (OPT).
U.S. student visas: an overview
To enter the U.S., people need a visa. A visa is attached to a passport and verifies the legality and purpose of a visitor’s entry at passport control. Visas are issued for different purposes, depending on why visitors come to the U.S.
The F visa is for people who want to study in U.S. institutions along with their family members. Most international students hold an F-1 visa. The J visa is for exchange visitors who come to study and experience U.S. culture, while the I visa is for foreign media professionals such as journalists and reporters. These are non-immigration visas, meaning they do not lead to a green card or U.S. citizenship.
Here’s an overview of the challenges that international students may face.
Proposed changes to F-1 visas and duration of status
On Aug. 28, 2025, the DHS proposed a rule titled “Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension-of-Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media.” It proposes replacing the D/S with a fixed end date and reducing the time F-1 visa holders are allowed to legally stay in the U.S. after completing their studies or OPT from 60 days to 30 days.
The D/S allows F-1 visa holders to remain in the United States legally while completing a full course of study at an educational institution approved by DHS and while participating in OPT, and curricular practical training (CPT), even if their F-1 visa has expired. However, students must have an active F-1 visa when re-entering the United States. This policy was introduced in 1978 and has allowed students to manage their academic path more flexibly.
However, the fixed time period by the DHS would prevent students from staying in the U.S. after their F-1 visa expires. According to the proposal, the fixed period would be a maximum of four years, meaning students must leave the U.S. by the specific date, even if they haven’t finished their academic program. F-1 visa holders would require approval from the United States Citizenship and immigration Services (USCIS) to extend their stay, but approval is not guaranteed. The uncertainty introduced by this time period could limit students’ ability to transfer schools, change majors, and follow an adaptable academic plan.
The proposal also includes reducing the grace period given to F-1 non-immigrants in the United States after completing a course of study or authorized post-completion OPT, from 60 days to 30 days. This shorter period gives F-1 holders less time to secure OPT job offers, thereby increasing the risk of becoming ineligible for OPT.
The DHS cites concerns about individuals who misuse the F-1 visa and the D/S policy by remaining in the United States for extended periods without pursuing an academic purpose as the reason for proposing the rule.
The proposal has not yet been finalized or put into effect, and it may take some time for a final rule to be published. However, not only new F-1 visa holders but also the F-1 visa holders who obtained their visas prior to the implementation of the rule are required to follow a fixed time limit, rather than the D/S, if they leave the United States and seek re-entry after the proposal is implemented.
Assessing the prospects of proposed F-1 visa regulations
The proposal is under review, so it is uncertain whether it will ultimately be implemented. However, it is important to note that a similar rule was proposed by DHS in September 2020, during Trump’s first presidential term. The DHS later withdrew the proposal in 2021 under the Biden administration.
With several years remaining in Trump’s current term and Trump continuing to strongly promote restrictive immigration policies, the chances of the proposal moving forward appear higher than during Trump’s first term.
Maya was born and raised in South Korea and is an international student at North Seattle College, majoring in pre-nursing. She loves drawing, Mariners, and delicious food, and enjoys sharing useful information with others — from restaurant reviews to helpful tips for Seattle College students. As a staff writer, she deeply understands the power and importance of sentences, so she hopes that every student can make the most of their campus life and receive positive energy by reading the Seattle Collegian’s articles.
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