Court Blocks Student Visa Stay Limits Nationwide

A federal judge's injunction halts a Department of Homeland Security rule that would cap how long international students can remain on F-1 and J-1 visas.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Immigration

Court Blocks Student Visa Stay Limits Nationwide

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Should the U.S. limit how long international students can stay on student visas?

U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV issued a nationwide preliminary injunction on Sept. 14, 2025, blocking a Department of Homeland Security rule finalized July 17, 2025 that limits stays for F-1 and J-1 student visa holders. Tufts University is preparing for possible implementation of the rule.

Why it matters

The rule would replace the current duration of status framework, under which international students can generally remain for the length of their programs and authorized practical training, with fixed admission periods. Institutions with long academic programs and students who change majors or schools could face added immigration procedures if the rule takes effect.

Tufts reported 2,441 international students across all schools in fall 2025, and the typical undergraduate program takes four years to complete. Whether the court's injunction will be lifted or the rule finalized in its current form has not been determined.

The players

Tufts University

A private research university in Medford and Somerville, Massachusetts, known for its international student community and five-year engineering programs.

F. Dennis Saylor IV

A federal judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts who issued the nationwide injunction against the rule.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

The federal department that finalized the rule limiting duration of stay for F-1 and J-1 student visa holders.

The details

The rule would generally prohibit F-1 undergraduate students from changing majors or transferring schools in their first year and bar graduate students from changing programs or institutions during their studies. Tufts convened a university-wide working group over the summer to develop recommendations in case the rule is implemented.

July 17, 2025: DHS finalized the duration of status rule.
August 2025: The rule was proposed.
Sept. 14, 2025: Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV issued a nationwide preliminary injunction.
Summer 2025: Tufts convened its university-wide working group.

Political Context

A similar proposal was made during Trump's first administration, and the current rule would depart from the existing duration of status framework that lets students stay for the length of their programs. Opponents argue the fixed admission periods would burden universities and students, and the court's injunction reflects that legal challenge.

International students at Tufts and elsewhere could face fixed admission periods and extension applications if the rule takes effect. Students planning to change majors, transfer schools, or take more than four years to finish should watch for further court action.

The takeaway

The injunction keeps the current duration of status framework in place for now, but students and universities should track the case because a final rule could change how long international students may remain.