The US government is planning a big change for international students. For years, students have been allowed to stay in the US for the full length of their studies under a system called “Duration of Status (D/S).” This meant you didn’t have a fixed date by which you had to leave. The end of your stay was linked to your program completion.
Now, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) wants to replace D/S with fixed-term student visas. This would mean your entry into the US comes with a specific end date, and if you need more time, you must apply for an extension.
Since Indian students make up the largest group of international students in the US (over 4.2 lakh) this change could affect thousands of lives.
Before (D/S system):
Now (Fixed-term plan):
The US says that Duration of Status makes it difficult to check if students are still following visa rules. With no end date, students could possibly stay for years without a checkpoint.
By switching to fixed terms, DHS wants:
The US government has not yet released the complete 2025 rule, but we can gain insight from a similar proposal they made in 2020, which was later withdrawn. Although the final details may change, here’s a possible overview:
1) Instead of staying in the US for as long as your program lasts (“Duration of Status”), you’d be given a fixed end date on your entry record (I-94).
2) That date would be before:
3) The grace period after your program ends could be shorter (possibly 30 days instead of 60).
4) If your studies or training take longer (like research delays, thesis work, internships, OPT, or medical reasons), you’d need to apply for an extension of stay (EOS) with USCIS before your end date.
5) If you travel abroad and return, you might get a new admission period—but only if you also get a fresh visa stamp and updated I-20/DS-2019.
Indian students are the largest international student group in the US, making up almost 25% of the total. More than 4.2 lakh Indians are studying or working on OPT in America right now.
This new rule could affect:
In short, most Indian students will need to plan more carefully and possibly apply for extensions to avoid problems.
Here’s what could happen if fixed-term visas become reality:
Before going to the US:
While studying:
Before graduation:
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