Students at out-of-state colleges and campuses across California are scrambling after the federal government finalized legislation Friday that limits international student visas to four years — a change that takes effect this fall and clouds the future of those who typically need to stay longer, including medical and doctoral students.
The Department of Homeland Security rule ends a policy in place since 1978 that allowed students to stay for the duration of their degree program. It is the latest in a series of moves by the Trump administration to restrict foreign students. The administration has expanded social media vetting of visa applicants — requiring students to make their accounts public — and imposed a travel ban that restricts entry to many countries.
New international student enrollment is down 17% in the fall of 2025, according to the Institute of International Education. California is enrolling more international students than any other state — about 140,000 by 2024-25.
The law “restores integrity to the nation’s immigration system,” Homeland Security said in a statement, calling the previous “status quo” policy outdated.
“For decades, foreign students have been admitted to the US permanently, allowing thousands to abuse our immigration system by regularly enrolling in courses to avoid travel,” said Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “By implementing clear and limited restrictions on these visas, the United States is reasserting its ability to effectively screen, test, and monitor individuals within our borders. This final rule ensures that foreign students remain focused on their primary goal: completing their studies and returning home.”
New time limits
The key rule is four years for foreign students and exchange visitors, regardless of the length of the program. Students who need more time must apply to US Citizenship and Immigration Services for an extension and submit to a biometric test, background check and fraud check – shifting the decision on overtime from agency officials to the federal government.
The law also cuts the grace period to leave in half. Students with F-1 visas now have 30 days instead of 60 days to prepare to leave the country, transfer schools or change their status after graduation. The visa category allows foreign students to live in the US and study full-time. The new law also limits students’ ability to change educational programs.
The changes reach beyond the classroom to a program called Optional Practical Training, which allows students with visas to work in the US for one year after graduation — or three years for science, technology, engineering and math graduates. The term of office is now subject to a four-year cap. Students who run out of approved time must apply for an extension to continue working. Those who apply within six months of the start of the law can get a temporary permit.
Students already in the US will go to the new program automatically, and their stay is limited to four years from the effective date of the law during the fall semester.
University complaints
California universities have expressed concern about the future of their students and the international relations of their campuses.
The University of California system has the largest share of international students in the nation, approximately 34,500, while USC enrolls the most of any single campus, at approximately 12,000. California State University has approximately 12,000 international students throughout the system. In California, the largest group of international students comes from China, at about 35%, followed by India, at about 21%.
A UC spokesperson said the university is “deeply concerned” about the new law, which “drastically changes the way international students have studied in the US for decades.”
“The previous period of Rule of Status provided international students and scholars with the time needed to complete their studies, conduct research, teach, train and work, as long as they maintain their nonimmigrant status, to support global competitiveness and the nation’s economy,” said UC spokeswoman Rachel Zaentz.
The Cal State program — home to students from more than 160 countries — wrote in a statement that leaders are “evaluating the impact of the new law.”
“Like all CSU students, our international students add to the rich diversity, voices, and perspectives that enrich our campuses and make CSU a vibrant and inclusive place to learn and grow,” said CSU spokesman Jason Maymon.
In total, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services had a backlog of more than 11.65 million cases as of the last quarter of 2025, with a processing time of more than one year, according to the American Immigration Council. Immigrants and student advocates say the backlog could be worse, leaving students uncertain about their studies.
One Stanford student majoring in Economics said their plans to stay for a fifth year to earn a master’s degree have been called into question.
“This brings me anxiety and uncertainty about the future,” said the student, who asked that his name be withheld because they fear the consequences of their emigration from other countries will be revealed by criticizing the changes. “I had planned to stay another quarter to finish my bachelor’s degree, as I had to take time off for health reasons.”
A Stanford spokeswoman said the university would share guidance with students about the visa policy changes on Friday.
“International students and scholars bring unique perspectives to our classrooms and research teams, enriching the learning environment and helping us find smart and effective solutions to global problems,” said Stanford spokeswoman Angie Davis.
Most major universities, including UC, have not yet released data for the 2026-27 academic year on international admissions or enrollment. Education experts expect international student enrollment to remain stable or decline due to changes in immigration policies.
