How will U.S. visa policy changes affect students, media professionals, and exchange visitors | Explained

The story so far: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Thursday (July 16, 2026) issued an order announcing amended immigration rules that blamed the so-called “Duration of Status loophole”, which allegedly allowed “foreign students, exchange visitors and media representatives to remain in the U.S. indefinitely without routine government oversight”. The order will hit the knowledge sector, which has availed U.S. visas liberally so far. The rules will end that privilege and, most importantly, grant only four years of stay to PhD students.

The new order introduces a “fixed period of admission” for holders of F, J, and I category visas, which arefor non-immigrants. Further, it specifically says that non-immigrant students, who hold F visas, and exchange visitors, who are J visa holders, will be allowed to stay for the length of their specific programmes “not to exceed a maximum period of four years”. Those requiring additional time to complete their academic programmes “must formally apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS)” directly through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Federal authorities will consider this application based on “biometric vetting, background checks and fraud screenings”. That apart, the 60-day time given to F-1 visa holders (non-immigrant students) for planning for departure, transfer of schools, or change of educational status following their graduation has now been reduced to 30 days.