New DHS rule limits future international students to four years in the U.S.

Reegan Davis
Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:16:05 +0000
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Future Ohio State students will be limited to four years or less, depending on the length of their academic program. The rule is set to take effect on Sept. 15. Credit: Daniel Bush | Lantern File Photo

The Department of Homeland Security ended a 47-year-old policy that allowed international students at universities in the U.S. to stay in the country for the duration of their study program on July 17.

Now, future international students at Ohio State will be limited to four years or the length of their academic program, whichever is shorter, in the U.S. under the new rule, set to take effect on Sept. 15.

“Currently, duration of status allows students and scholars to be admitted and stay in the United States as long as they are maintaining their non-immigrant status, such as enrolling full time, making progress towards completing a degree or research activity,” according to the Ohio State Office of International Affairs website.

“Under the new rule, students and scholars unable to finish their academic programs/research activity within four years would be required to file an Extension of Stay (EOS) application and pay a fee to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to request an extension to remain in the United States to finish their academic programs/research activity.”

Current students and students who are in the U.S. before Sept. 15 are permitted to stay at Ohio State until the end date listed on their current I-20 without extension, the website states.

As of September 2025, first-year international student enrollment decreased by nearly 38 percent, which reversed a trend of annual increases, according to prior Lantern reporting.

“The three top colleges for international students — arts and sciences, business and engineering — had varying enrollment trends,” the article states. “Arts and sciences and business had a drop in enrollment at 157 and 106 students, respectively. Alternatively, engineering saw an increase with 39 more students.”

The new rule also prohibits undergraduate students from transferring schools or changing their major in their first year, unless granted an exception. Similarly, graduate students are not allowed to transfer schools or change their major at any point in their academic career, unless granted an exception, according to the Office of International Affairs.

The Office of International Affairs will continue to provide updates on this issue as new information becomes available.

This is an ongoing story, and The Lantern will update as more information is available.