The United States is moving to sharply restrict how long international students can remain in the country, replacing a decades-old system that allowed them to stay for the full length of their studies.

Under a rule confirmed by the Trump administration, most foreign students will be granted a maximum of four years in the US. Those who need more time to complete their degrees will have to apply directly to the federal government for an extension, shifting key decision-making power away from universities and into Washington.

For years, students on F-1 visas were admitted for what is known as duration of status, meaning they could legally remain in the country as long as they were progressing through an approved academic programme. Universities and designated school officials had authority to manage extensions and changes in study plans. That flexibility is now set to narrow significantly.

Switching schools, changing degree programmes or taking breaks in study will become more complex, with each move potentially triggering new scrutiny of a student’s visa status. The Department of Homeland Security argues the overhaul is necessary to curb visa overstays and tighten national security screening.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has framed the change as a response to perceived abuse, claiming some students have cycled through programmes primarily to prolong their stay in the US rather than to earn degrees.

Education groups and university leaders warn the policy could backfire. NAFSA: Association of International Educators has condemned the rule as misguided and unnecessary, saying it injects uncertainty into a system that already includes extensive monitoring through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.

The four-year cap may be manageable for many undergraduates, but it poses a serious challenge for graduate students, who make up the majority of international enrolments in the US, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Doctoral programmes and research-intensive master’s degrees frequently extend well beyond four years, especially when projects change, funding is interrupted or personal circumstances intervene.

Another key shift is the post-study grace period. International graduates currently have 60 days after completing their programme to depart the US, transfer to another institution or move into a different visa category. That window will be cut to 30 days, compressing the time students have to secure jobs, arrange onward study or organise their departure.

The rule is widely seen as part of a broader tightening of US immigration policy affecting students, researchers and skilled workers, and could accelerate a trend of international applicants looking to Canada, the United Kingdom and other countries viewed as more predictable destinations.