On August 28, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register that would end “duration of status,” which allows those on F or J visas to remain in the United States as long as necessary to complete their academic program, practical training or research activity provided they continue to meet all immigration requirements.
Key proposed rule changes would impact how international students, scholars and exchange visitors are admitted to programs, restrict changes to programs and place limitations on the length of time they could stay in the United States.
The process for a proposed rule to be finalized as a federal regulation typically spans several months. The public comment period concluded on Sept. 29, 2025. Like many peer institutions, Ohio State submitted comments regarding the proposed rule change. DHS evaluates all feedback and may consider revisions to the proposal, however it remains unclear when a final rule with an implementation date might be announced.
Key proposed rule changes for F and J students and scholars:
- Remove the “duration of status” notation for F and J students and scholars upon admission to the United States and change it to a fixed period of four years maximum. (Currently duration of status allows students and scholars to be admitted and stay in the United States as long as they are maintaining their non-immigrant status, such as enrolling full-time, making progress towards completing a degree or research activity.) Students and scholars unable to finish their academic programs/research activity within four years would be required to file an Extension of Stay application and pay a fee to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to request an extension to remain in the United States to finish their academic programs/research activity.
- Prohibit undergraduate students from transferring schools or changing academic programs within their first year of study. Currently students can leave Ohio State and obtain admission to another school to continue an academic program or change their major at any time.
- Prohibit F-1 students from pursuing another academic program at the same or lower education level. Students who previously completed an academic program in F-1 status in the United States would not be allowed to matriculate at the same or lower education level.
- Prohibit graduate students from changing their academic programs or transferring to a different school at any point in their degree program. Currently students can make changes in their academic program or leave Ohio State to attend another school any time during their graduate program.
- Shorten the F-1 student grace period from 60 days to 30 days. After an F-1 student completes their academic program, they are allowed to stay in the United States for a short “grace period” to prepare to leave the United States or to take next steps. Currently, that period is 60 days, and students can use that time to transfer schools, change their level of study, or apply for another immigration status or benefit. The proposed rule would shorten that time to 30 days. There is no proposed change to the J-1 student or scholar grace period as it is already set at 30 days.
The Office of International Affairs will continue to provide updates on this important issue as new information becomes available.