Higher education groups have criticsed a Trump administration proposal to introduce a new four-year time limit on visas for international students and researchers. The organisations warn that the move will deter talented researchers, harm the US economy, and add an unnecessary layer of government bureaucracy.
On 27 August, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced its intention to modify the F-1 student and J-1 exchange visitor visa categories, among others.
The change, if implemented, would eliminate the ‘duration of status’ policy in place for over 45 years that means an individual with such visas can remain in the US while they are enrolled as a full-time student. Instead, the new policy would force them to continually apply for extensions through DHS if, for example, they wanted to move into a different field or level of study.
‘For too long, past administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to remain in the US virtually indefinitely, posing safety risks, costing untold amounts of taxpayer dollars, and disadvantaging US citizens,’ a DHS spokesperson stated.
When announcing the proposal, DHS said that it has identified more than 2100 foreign nationals who first entered the US on F-1 student visas between 2000 and 2010 and remained in active F-1 status as of 6 April, 2025.
‘Unnecessary and counterproductive’
The Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, a non-profit that brings together US college and university leaders on immigration issues, is critical of the administration’s proposal. ‘If finalised, this rule would create additional uncertainty, intrude on academic decision-making, increase bureaucratic hurdles, and risk deterring international students, researchers, and scholars from coming to the United States,’ stated Miriam Feldblum, the organisation’s president and chief executive.
Feldblum added that the rule would impose ‘significant burdens’ on students, colleges and universities, as well as on federal agencies, and would increase the existing immigration application backlog. The Presidents’ Alliance is urging higher education institutions and stakeholders to submit public comments directly to DHS to demonstrate the negative impacts of the proposed rule.
Fanta Aw, chief executive of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, also spoke out in opposition to the proposal, noting that deterring international students would have a negative impact on the US economy, innovation and global competitivenss. ‘These changes will only serve to force aspiring students and scholars into a sea of administrative delays at best, and at worst, into unlawful presence status – leaving them vulnerable to punitive actions through no fault of their own,’ she stated.
‘In reviewing the [government’s proposals], it is clear that the government has not explored more efficient and less bureaucratic alternatives,’ Aw added. ‘This proposal will only increase the degree of government oversight without any evidence that the changes would solve any of the real problems that exist in our outdated immigration system.’
The move contrasts with the policies of other countries that are competing to recruit to scientific talent from around the world. Two weeks ago, China introduced a new visa category for young science and technology talent. The Chinese government said this new ‘K visa’ category, which will be effective from 1 October 2025, will be more convenient for young foreign science and technology talent by offering a visa process with greater flexibility and fewer barriers. For example, K visas will allow more permitted entries and a longer duration of stay.
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