DHS Is About to End 'Duration of Status' — What That Means If You're an International Student

The White House's Office of Management and Budget has completed its review of a rule that would eliminate duration of status, meaning the Department of Homeland Security could finalize the change any day now. Under the proposed policy, international students would only be permitted to stay in the U.S. for four years before having to file for an extension — a major shift from the current rule that lets you stay until you complete your degree. The change would hit hardest for Ph.D. students, medical residents on J-1 visas, and anyone in a program designed to run longer than four years, which DHS's own data acknowledges make up a significant share of the international student population. DHS has argued that 79 percent of international students are in two-year master's or four-year bachelor's programs, but critics say the rule will add bureaucratic burden and further deter international enrollment, which is already declining. If you're an international student or planning to study in the U.S., watch for the final rule announcement and connect with your international student office now to understand what extension filings will look like.