The Department of Homeland Security proposed dismantling “Duration of Status,” a long-standing policy allowing many F and J visa students to remain in the U.S. as long as they made progress toward degree or research goals. Under the proposal, stays would be capped at a program’s expected end date and limited to a maximum of four years, with tighter departure windows and additional reapplication requirements. The policy would also place more procedural burden on students seeking extensions, major changes, transfers, or work authorization—moving some processes into federal hands rather than institutional oversight. NAFSA warned that it could put life-changing academic decisions into an “already overburdened” immigration system. For universities, the immediate implementation implications include new advising workflows, increased demand for immigration legal support, and likely administrative strain on international offices. The proposal would take effect in mid-September, with current students transitioning based on the existing Duration of Status window. The rule is framed as a continuation of broader visa crackdowns affecting international enrollment.