Via Global
.png?width=40&name=Website%20GRAPHICS%20(1).png){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
Facing the Four-Year Wall White PaperThe DHS Rule Is Moving Toward Final Publication. Here's What ISSS Leaders Need to Know.
Why Integrated ISSS Technology is Critical as DHS Moves to End Duration of Status
The DHS Rule Is Moving Toward Final Publication. Here's What ISSS Leaders Need to Know.
This white paper explains DHS’s move to replace Duration of Status with fixed admission periods, what it could mean for your institution, and why 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 would reshape how international students and exchange visitors are managed at U.S. institutions. The proposed framework would replace Duration of Status with fixed admission periods for F and J nonimmigrants, generally tied to program dates and capped at four years.
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.
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.
Updated June 2026: OMB/OIRA completed review of the final rule on June 17, 2026. The rule is not yet effective and still awaits Federal Register publication.
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
.png?width=51&name=%E2%80%A2The%20regulatory%20landscape%20and%20what%20the%20DHS%20proposed%20rule%20actually%20changes%20about%20F-1%20and%20J-1%20visa%20management%20%E2%80%A2Why%20four%20years%20doesnt%20align%20with%20reality%20%E2%80%93%20data%20on%20how%20long%20students%20actually%20take%20to%20%20(1).png)
Why four years doesn't align
with reality – data on how long students actually take to complete degrees and what that means for compliance
.png?width=51&name=%E2%80%A2The%20regulatory%20landscape%20and%20what%20the%20DHS%20proposed%20rule%20actually%20changes%20about%20F-1%20and%20J-1%20visa%20management%20%E2%80%A2Why%20four%20years%20doesnt%20align%20with%20reality%20%E2%80%93%20data%20on%20how%20long%20students%20actually%20take%20to%20%20(5).png)
The operational impact
on ISSS teams, from tracking Extension of Stay requests to managing post-completion grace periods
.png?width=51&name=%E2%80%A2The%20regulatory%20landscape%20and%20what%20the%20DHS%20proposed%20rule%20actually%20changes%20about%20F-1%20and%20J-1%20visa%20management%20%E2%80%A2Why%20four%20years%20doesnt%20align%20with%20reality%20%E2%80%93%20data%20on%20how%20long%20students%20actually%20take%20to%20%20(2).png)
The compliance burden
the estimated $86-88M annual cost to institutions and the documentation complexity ahead
.png?width=51&name=%E2%80%A2The%20regulatory%20landscape%20and%20what%20the%20DHS%20proposed%20rule%20actually%20changes%20about%20F-1%20and%20J-1%20visa%20management%20%E2%80%A2Why%20four%20years%20doesnt%20align%20with%20reality%20%E2%80%93%20data%20on%20how%20long%20students%20actually%20take%20to%20%20(3).png)
The technology gap
why siloed systems fail under the new requirements and what integrated platforms need to deliver
-1.png?width=51&name=%E2%80%A2The%20regulatory%20landscape%20and%20what%20the%20DHS%20proposed%20rule%20actually%20changes%20about%20F-1%20and%20J-1%20visa%20management%20%E2%80%A2Why%20four%20years%20doesnt%20align%20with%20reality%20%E2%80%93%20data%20on%20how%20long%20students%20actually%20take%20to%20%20(4)-1.png)
How to prepare
actionable steps for ISSS leaders and institutional decision-makers