The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has put forward new regulations that would significantly alter the way nonimmigrant visas are handled for academic students (F visas), exchange visitors (J visas), and representatives of foreign information media (I visas). The proposal replaces the existing “duration of status” framework with fixed admission periods. The aim is to ensure that these nonimmigrants are admitted for a specific, defined period, rather than indefinitely, contingent upon their adherence to the terms of their status. Under the proposed changes, individuals seeking to extend their stay beyond the initial admission period would need to apply directly to DHS for an extension. This move comes amid concerns related to oversight and national security, with DHS highlighting that the current system does not provide sufficient opportunities to verify that visa holders are engaged in authorized activities. The changes propose a maximum four-year admission and extension period for F and J visa holders, a reduction in the grace period for F-1 students after completing their studies, restrictions on graduate-level F-1 students changing programs mid-course, and a 240-day cap for I visa holders, with certain exceptions. The DHS believes these changes will enable immigration officers to regularly assess whether nonimmigrants are complying with the conditions of their visas and US immigration laws.
