If you are heading to an American campus — or already working on OPT — the rules under your feet are shifting. Washington is moving to end the long-standing “duration of status” system and replace it with a fixed admission period. In plain terms, the F-1 student visa duration of status model that let you stay “for as long as you study” is being swapped for a hard clock of up to four years. Here is what is changing, who it touches, and the smart moves to make now.
On this page
- What the four-year admission rule actually changes
- OPT and STEM OPT: the new fee and filing math
- How current F-1 students should prepare now
- Frequently asked questions
What the four-year admission rule actually changes
For decades, F-1, J-1 and I visa holders were admitted for “duration of status” — no fixed end date as long as they stayed enrolled and compliant. A proposed Department of Homeland Security rule would end that. Most students would instead be admitted for a set period: the length of the program or four years, whichever is shorter. After that, you would need to file an extension of stay with USCIS rather than simply remaining enrolled. The grace period to wrap up, switch status or leave also tightens from 60 days to 30. If finalised as drafted, the change could take effect as early as September 2026, so the next intake is the one to watch.
OPT and STEM OPT: the new fee and filing math
The work side is changing too. The fee for Form I-765 — the application behind both initial OPT and the STEM OPT extension — has risen to 1,780 US dollars. STEM graduates still get the extra 24-month extension on top of standard OPT, but approval no longer guarantees you can simply stay for the full work-authorisation window. You may have to file a separate extension of stay so your I-94 lines up with your work card. Consider a Chinese researcher finishing a PhD and moving onto STEM OPT: under the new approach, she must track two clocks at once — her admission period and her work authorisation — and file early if they fall out of sync. Missing that step is how a legal stay quietly becomes an overstay.
Planning a US degree or already on OPT? Get personalised next steps at https://linktr.ee/travelexpore
How current F-1 students should prepare now
You cannot vote on the rule, but you can be ready for it. Keep your SEVIS record spotless, your passport valid well beyond your program, and digital copies of every I-20, I-94 and approval notice. Diarise your program end date and any OPT or STEM OPT windows, and build in a buffer for the shorter 30-day grace period. If you are choosing between the United States and a post-study work route elsewhere, weigh the alternatives before you commit — the UK Graduate Route changes and work-after-study options in Europe such as the Netherlands and its tax rules are worth a side-by-side look.
The bottom line
- Admission may shift from open-ended to a fixed period of up to four years.
- The post-study grace period drops from 60 days to 30.
- The I-765 fee for OPT and STEM OPT is now 1,780 US dollars.
- You may need a separate extension of stay to match your I-94 to your work card.
Frequently asked questions
Is the four-year rule already law? No. It is a proposed federal rule moving through review and could take effect around September 2026 if finalised as drafted.
Does this cancel OPT or STEM OPT? No. Both still exist, but you may need to file an extension of stay so your admission period covers your full work authorisation.
What happens if my program runs longer than four years? You would apply to USCIS to extend your stay rather than relying on continuous enrolment alone.
How much is the OPT application now? The Form I-765 fee has risen to 1,780 US dollars for both initial OPT and the STEM extension.
Related reads
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- LinkedIn: America is putting a 4-year clock on student visas. If you are US-bound, read this before you enrol.
- Twitter/X: The US “study as long as you want” era is ending. A fixed admission period is coming for F-1 students.
- Facebook: Going to study in the USA? The visa rules are about to change in a big way. Here is what to know.
Your move on the F-1 changes
The window to plan around these changes is open now, not after they land. Map your enrolment, OPT and extension dates early, keep your paperwork tight, and get tailored guidance for your situation at https://linktr.ee/travelexpore
Sources
- USCIS — Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT) [T0]: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/optional-practical-training-extension-for-stem-students-stem-opt
- Fragomen — 2026 International Travel Planning for F-1 Students [T1]: https://www.fragomen.com/insights/united-states-2026-international-travel-planning-for-f-1-students.html
- ICEF Monitor — US moves to end duration of status for F, J and I visas [T2]: https://monitor.icef.com/2026/05/us-moves-to-end-duration-of-status-for-f-j-and-i-visas-new-rule-could-limit-the-time-international-students-can-study-in-the-us/