New International Student Visa Rules and NCAA Eligibility Changes Set to Reshape College Athletics for International Students

New restrictive student visa rules, effective September 15, 2026, will end the duration-of-status policy for international students, limiting their visas to four years and reducing the post-degree grace period from 60 to 30 days. This change coincides with the NCAA's new '5-for-5 rule,' which grants student-athletes up to five seasons of eligibility based on age. The combination of these policies, reported on August 1, 2026, creates a conundrum for coaches and international student-athletes, potentially impacting recruitment and the ability to complete master's degrees within eligibility periods.