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2026-07-17 11:30:12
[New US regulations tighten stay limits for international students and exchange visa holders, with a maximum of 4 years] (1) The US Department of Homeland Security announced new regulations on the 16th, eliminating the original "status duration framework" and setting fixed stay limits for F (student), J (exchange visitor), and I (media representative) visa holders—F/J visas are limited to a maximum of 4 years, and I visas to a maximum of 240 days (which can be extended), and indefinite stays upon completion of studies or programs are no longer permitted. (2) F/J visa holders who need to extend their studies or programs must formally apply to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services and undergo biometrics, background checks, and fraud screening; current holders of these visas in the US will be automatically transitioned to the new system, with a maximum permitted stay of 4 years from the effective date of the new regulations. (3) The new regulations impose several strict restrictions on international students: changes in study objectives are prohibited at the graduate level and above, unauthorized transfers are prohibited, and after completing a certain stage of education, students can only advance to a higher-level program; at the same time, the transition period for leaving the country, transferring schools, or changing status after graduation is shortened from 60 days to 30 days. The new regulations will officially take effect 60 days after their publication in the Federal Register. (Xinhua)
