The Trump administration finalized a rule capping student visa stays at four years, tightening the timeline for international students to complete U.S. programs. Under the policy, students needing longer than four years must apply for an exception from the federal government. The rule has drawn strong pushback from higher education leaders and advocates, particularly because the four-year window can be unrealistic for many doctoral programs. Institutions have warned that the exception process could add uncertainty for students and complicate program planning and enrollment strategies. The policy update arrives amid broader higher education federal and state budget pressures and at a moment when international enrollment remains central to many institutions’ financial planning.