The Trump administration has announced major changes to the F-1 student visa program that could reshape the way international students study and remain in the US.

If the rule goes into effect, F-1 visas, which have historically allowed students to remain in the country for the duration of their academic program, would be limited to four years. The grace period after graduation would also be reduced from 60 days to 30 days, so students wishing to regain F-1 status would have to apply to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or leave the country and re-enter. Students would also not be able to start another program with the same or lower academic level after completing the current one.

DHS said the changes are intended to address national security concerns, visa fraud and abuse, overstays and the growing number of international students in the U.S. If the rule passes congressional review, it will go into effect on Sept. 15.

We asked three immigration lawyers to explain what the proposed changes could mean in practice and what international students should know.

His words have been edited for length and clarity.

‘My advice to international students is to avoid non-essential international travel as much as possible’

Tahmina Watson is a business immigration attorney in Seattle.

“This is much more than an immigration rule: it is an economic policy. By fundamentally changing the international student program, the United States risks becoming a less attractive destination for the world’s brightest minds. The ripple effects will extend far beyond students, impacting universities, businesses, innovation, local economies, and America’s long-term global competitiveness for generations.

Given the current immigration climate, my advice to international students is to avoid non-essential international travel to the extent possible. Even students who have maintained legal status may face increased scrutiny at U.S. ports of entry, and policies continue to evolve.

If you are eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT, apply as soon as possible instead of waiting until the last minute. “Early filing provides greater protection against processing delays and unexpected policy changes, helping to preserve your ability to continue working and remain in your status.”

“A single duration will not suit the careers of many students”

Loren Locke is the managing attorney and founder of Locke Immigration Law, an Atlanta-based boutique firm specializing in individual and business immigration in the United States.

“Less than half of American college students complete a bachelor’s degree in four years. The Department of Education does not even use four-year completion as an official measure, instead reporting six-year rates. Many engineering and architecture programs are designed to last five years. Doctoral programs and medical training routinely last longer than five years. A single length will not fit many students’ degree programs, not to mention how many will be prevented from completing graduate employment that international students have long been eligible for.

As an attorney, I am concerned that USCIS could arbitrarily deny extension requests or take so long that the student’s course of study is effectively ruined, and there would be no recourse to allow the student to get back on track.

Just a year and a half ago, DHS codified a deference policy that promised consistency for people the government had already approved. This rule takes away that protection from students.

The United States invites students from all over the world to pay full freight at our universities. Keeping the increasingly real risk of them leaving without a diploma hanging over them, despite having done everything right, really damages our brand as a good destination for international students. “This will have a tremendously negative economic impact.”

“I imagine this would have a chilling effect on the students.”

Brian Hunt is an attorney with the immigration firm Fragomen, Del Rey, Bersen & Loewy LLP in Washington, DC.

“The student ‘duration of status’ rule is finalizing a rule that USCIS published a few months ago, and is also picking up and dusting off a nearly identical proposed rule published in 2020 under Trump 45. The rules change with each administration, so this is not a surprise. I imagine this would have a chilling effect on students.

This introduces uncertainty into the equation. Next spring, a group of students whose F-1 visas are expiring (who want to enter the skilled worker market) will apply for F-1 status extensions for the first time. Then we’ll see what happens. Are they all going to approve them? Are they going to give them a hard time?

Frankly, if they delay them, in most cases they are not subject to removal, but they also cannot go live until it is approved. “We will see what happens next May: whether the skilled labor pipeline is left intact or damaged.”

Are visa changes affecting your educational or career plans? Email Charissa Cheong at ccheong@businessinsider.com and Tess Martinelli in tmartinelli@businessinsider.com.