The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a new rule to limit the duration of stay for foreign students and exchange visitors in the country. The rule aims to curb "visa abuse" by restricting students to a fixed admission period, up to a maximum of four years, instead of the current "duration of status" policy, which has been in place since 1978.

Students will be granted admission for the length of their program, up to four years, and will have to undergo reviews by DHS to extend their stay.
Adding to the strain, graduate-level F-1 students may face restrictions on changing programs mid-course.

Education advocates warn that the proposal could create new hurdles for international students, potentially discouraging them from choosing US institutions. Miriam Feldblum, President's Alliance, said, "International students deserve assurance that their admission period to the US will conform to the requirements of their academic programs."

Fanta Aw, NAFSA expressed, "It will certainly act as an additional deterrent to international students choosing to study in the United States, to the detriment of American economies, innovation, and global competitiveness."

 International enrollment is already affected by visa processing delays and disruptions, with 35% of US colleges reporting a drop in applications for the upcoming year. The question is, in the long run, how will it be beneficial to the USA, and to what extent will foreign students be impacted?