A new U.S. Department of Homeland Security visa rule will replace the long-standing “duration of status” approach with a four-year limit for most F-1 and J-1 holders starting next month. The change threatens international students’ ability to change majors, transfer institutions, or extend study timelines without securing extensions. Admissions consultants say the policy will influence where applicants decide to enroll, especially for degrees that commonly exceed four years, including many undergraduate pathways and most PhD programs. Several business school advisers and student-facing operators expect uncertainty to deter some prospective students from applying to the U.S. in the first place. The debate centers on how institutions communicate with applicants and how quickly they can provide clear guidance on what the rule does—and does not—mean for mobility. Consultants note that students increasingly weigh immigration predictability alongside rankings, cost, and career outcomes.