U.S. Tightens Student Visa Extension Rules with Stricter Security Screening

WASHINGTON:The United States has introduced stricter regulations for foreign students, making visa extensions subject to enhanced security screening and federal approval.

According to the U.S. Department of State, the Department of Homeland Security has announced a final rule eliminating the legal provision known as **”duration of status,”** which previously allowed certain non-immigrants to remain in the United States for an indefinite period while maintaining their visa status.

The rule affects holders of **F, J, and I non-immigrant visas**, including international students, exchange program participants, and foreign media representatives.

Under the new regulations, eligible visa holders will now be granted a **fixed period of stay** in the United States. The validity of **F and J visas** will be limited to **a maximum of four years**, and any extension beyond that period will require mandatory federal approval.

Applicants seeking extensions will also be required to undergo **biometric verification, background checks, and fraud screening** before their requests can be considered.

In addition, the grace period for **F-1 student visa** holders to leave the United States after completing their studies has been reduced from **60 days to 30 days**, according to the State Department.