The United States government under President Donald Trump’s administration has introduced new measures that place time limits on visas issued to foreign students, exchange visitors and journalists.
The new policy is expected to affect Ghanaians and other international students planning to study or work in the United States.
Under the new rules, foreign students will no longer be allowed to stay in the US indefinitely after completing their studies.
A statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued on July 16, 2026, said international students and exchange visitors will generally be allowed to remain in the country for a maximum of four years.
The DHS also reduced the grace period for F-1 students after graduation from 60 days to 30 days. This means graduates will have less time to leave the country, transfer to another school, or apply to change their immigration status.
The new rule requires visa holders who need more time to complete their academic programmes to apply directly to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an Extension of Stay (EOS) or leave the country and apply to return.
The process will also shift more responsibility from universities to federal immigration authorities. Applicants will be required to undergo biometric screening, background checks and fraud checks.
The DHS said the measures are aimed at ending what it described as the “duration of status” loophole, which allowed some foreign students, exchange visitors and media representatives to remain in the US for extended periods without regular government review.
“Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the publication of a final rule that officially eliminates the “duration of status” loophole that allowed foreign students, exchange visitors, and media representatives to remain in the United States indefinitely without routine government oversight,” the statement said.
The regulation is expected to take effect 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register, subject to congressional review.
“The final rule will publish in the Federal Register in the next few days. The rule will go into effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register,” the statement added.
Current nonimmigrant visa holders in the US under the previous system will automatically move to the new arrangement.
Their authorised stay will be limited to a maximum of four years from the date the new rule takes effect.
“Current nonimmigrant visa holders residing in the United States under the previous “duration of status” framework will transition to the new system automatically, with their authorized stay capped at a maximum of four years from the effective date of this rule,” DHS announced.
The new policy could affect international students preparing to begin college programmes scheduled for August and September.
