The United States government will significantly change the rules for international students entering the country with an F visa. Starting September 15, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will leave behind the system that allowed them to remain in the United States for the entire duration of their studies and will establish a maximum admission period of four years, with the possibility of requesting an extension.

The action was published by DHS in the Federal Register through the final rule titled Establishing a Fixed Period of Admission and Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Foreign Media Representatives. As explained by the agency, the objective is to establish a uniform process to control the permanence of those who study in the country.