US Court Blocks Four-Year Visa Limit for International Students
Boston, United States — September 16, 2026: A US federal judge has temporarily blocked a Trump administration rule that would have limited the length of stay for international students, exchange visitors and foreign journalists. The decision came just one day before the new regulations were scheduled to take effect.
US District Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV, sitting in Boston, issued a nationwide preliminary injunction on September 14. The ruling preserves the existing Duration of Status system for F-1 international students and J-1 exchange visitors while the legal challenge continues.
Under the proposed rule, most F-1 and J-1 visa holders would have faced a fixed four-year admission period, with additional procedures required for extensions. Foreign journalists holding I visas would have faced a 240-day limit. The policy was scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026.
The judge's order followed a lawsuit brought by higher education organizations and international education advocates. The plaintiffs argued that the Department of Homeland Security had not adequately justified the changes and that the new system could create uncertainty for students and universities.
For now, international students who maintain their immigration status can continue under the existing Duration of Status framework. Universities have advised students to follow current visa and enrollment procedures while the case proceeds
The ruling is not a final decision on the legality of the regulation. The lawsuit remains ongoing, and the next hearing is scheduled for October 2,
Islam Global News will continue to follow developments affecting international students, researchers and Indian students planning to study in the United States.
