US Student Visa Rules to Shift, Linking University Admission to Fixed Immigration Deadlines

New Department of Homeland Security rules, effective September 15, 2026, will replace the "duration of status" system for F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors with fixed admission periods. This change will increase the administrative burden and risk of status lapses for thousands of international students, particularly from the South Asian diaspora, and will require universities and employers to play a larger role in guiding students through the transition.