The White House has announced significant changes to the visa terms for international students holding F, J, and I visas. The new rule, which will take effect on September 15, 2026, will limit F, J, and I visa terms to no more than four years. Currently, these visas remain valid for the duration of a student’s studies, referred to as “Duration of Status” (D/S).

Students will be able to request extensions, but they will be required to apply through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and not through their institutions. In explaining the process, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) press release says that those requesting extensions will also be required to undergo “biometric vetting, background checks, and fraud screening.”

DHS published the draft rule in August 2025 and received 21,949 comments, including a comments from ASCB objecting to the draft regulation.

Kevin M. Wilson serves as Vice President, Policy, Governance and Partnerships for The American Society for Cell Biology. He's worked as the Legislative Director for U.S. Congressman Robert Weygand (D-RI) and as a Legislative Assistant for U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell (D-RI). He has a BA in Politics and American Government from the Catholic University of America. Email: kwilson@ascb.org