Trump limits Nigerian, other foreign students to four-year US stay under new visa rule

Trump limits Nigerian, other foreign students to four-year US stay under new visa rule

The Trump administration has introduced a major overhaul of the United States student visa system, limiting most foreign students, including Nigerian students, and exchange visitors to a maximum stay of four years unless they obtain approval from the federal government to extend their stay.

The new regulation, finalised by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), brings an end to the decades-old “duration of status” (D/S) policy, which allowed international students on F-1 visas and exchange visitors on J-1 visas to remain in the United States for the duration of their academic or exchange programmes, provided they maintained their legal immigration status.

Under the revised rule, most international students and exchange visitors will now be admitted for a fixed period of up to four years. Students whose programmes extend beyond that period—including many pursuing doctoral, medical and research-based degrees—must apply for an extension before their authorised stay expires or risk losing their lawful immigration status.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, the new policy is aimed at strengthening immigration enforcement, reducing visa overstays and enhancing national security by replacing the open-ended admission system with a fixed period of stay.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the previous “duration of status” policy had remained in place for nearly five decades and created opportunities for abuse of the immigration system.

“For nearly half a century, the outdated ‘duration of status’ system has compromised national security and created an environment ripe for immigration fraud,” Mullin said.

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The department acknowledged that some international students may face challenges completing their academic programmes within the new timeframe, noting that many bachelor’s degree programmes now take longer than four years, while doctoral programmes often require six years or more to complete.

In addition to the four-year admission limit, the regulation introduces stricter controls over programme changes, school transfers and post-study immigration procedures.

Graduate students will face tighter restrictions when changing academic programmes or transferring institutions, while the grace period granted after completing studies has been reduced from 60 days to 30 days. Students planning to participate in Optional Practical Training (OPT) beyond their authorised stay may also be required to obtain additional approval from immigration authorities.

The new rule is expected to affect thousands of Nigerian students studying in American universities, as well as prospective applicants seeking admission into undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across the United States.

Education experts say the changes could particularly affect students enrolled in programmes that typically extend beyond four years, increasing administrative requirements and uncertainty over visa renewals.

The regulation has drawn criticism from universities and international education organisations.

NAFSA: Association of International Educators described the policy as unnecessary, warning that it could discourage talented international students from choosing the United States as a study destination.

NAFSA Executive Director Fanta Aw argued that the long-standing “duration of status” framework had functioned effectively for decades and that replacing it with fixed admission periods would increase bureaucracy, create uncertainty and weaken America’s competitiveness in global higher education.

Higher education leaders have also expressed concern that the policy could reduce international student enrolment, affect university finances, slow academic research and limit the contribution of highly skilled graduates to the US economy.

Supporters of the regulation, however, argue that fixed admission periods will strengthen immigration oversight, improve visa compliance and reduce opportunities for fraud and unlawful overstays.

The policy forms part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration agenda, which includes tighter visa screening, enhanced border security and stricter enforcement of immigration laws.

For many Nigerian students planning to study in the United States, the new rule represents one of the most significant changes to the student visa system in decades and is expected to influence future education and immigration decisions.

Trump limits Nigerian, other foreign students to four-year US stay under new visa rule