Via Global
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Facing the Four-Year Wall White Paper
Why Integrated ISSS Technology is Critical Amid DHS's Proposed Changes
The DHS Proposed Rule Changes Everything. Here's What ISSS Leaders Need to Know.
This whitepaper discusses the four-year cap proposal, what it means for your institution, and how integrated technology is critical to compliance.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
In August 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security proposed a major regulatory shift that will reshape how international students are managed at every U.S. institution. The proposed rule replaces the Duration of Status model with a fixed four-year cap on F-1 and J-1 visa holders, regardless of program length.
While intended to streamline immigration enforcement, this proposal introduces significant operational, compliance, and financial burdens for higher education. And most institutions' current systems are not prepared for it.
This white paper breaks down what the rule means, the compliance challenges it creates, and why integrated ISSS technology is no longer optional.
Inside this white paper, you will explore:
The regulatory landscape
and what the DHS proposed rule actually changes about F-1 and J-1 visa management
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Why four years doesn't align
with reality – data on how long students actually take to complete degrees and what that means for compliance
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The operational impact
on ISSS teams, from tracking Extension of Stay requests to managing post-completion grace periods
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The compliance burden
the estimated $86-88M annual cost to institutions and the documentation complexity ahead
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The technology gap
why siloed systems fail under the new requirements and what integrated platforms need to deliver
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How to prepare
actionable steps for ISSS leaders and institutional decision-makers