Rosanna Berardi, Managing Partner of Berardi Immigration Law, was recently featured on WGRZ to discuss a new Department of Homeland Security rule that puts a hard deadline on how long international students can stay in the United States.
The new rule eliminates the long-standing “duration of status” framework for F-1 and J-1 visa holders. Instead of an open-ended stay tied to their academic program, students will now receive a fixed admission end date on their Form I-20, capped at four years. Anyone who needs more time will have to file for an extension with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services before that date arrives.
Rosanna explained just how much this shifts the responsibility onto students themselves, even when their school is doing everything it can to help them stay compliant:
“So even though the University of Buffalo can tell their students until they’re blue in the face, this is how it works; it’s up to the student to actually maintain that status and do things like timely file an extension.”
She also underscored what a fixed deadline means in practical terms, regardless of how a student’s specific program is structured:
“So whether the program ends in four years or three and a half or what have you, there’s gonna be a date certain, an expiration date.”
For the students affected, many of whom are navigating U.S. immigration rules for the first time, Rosanna noted the weight this new responsibility carries:
“Given this responsibility to young adults, starter adults, you know, it’s a lot on their shoulders, and they will need to pay attention very carefully.”
Watch the full segment here: New DHS rule puts a hard deadline on international students’ stay in the United States
International students and the schools that support them are facing a steep learning curve as this rule takes effect. Berardi Immigration Law is closely monitoring its rollout and is ready to help students, universities, and employers understand what it means for them. If you have questions about how it could affect you or someone you know, click here to contact us today.
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