US to cap student visas at four years under new rules

The Department of Homeland Security adopted the new rules on Thursday. The tightening will take effect in September.

Student visas in the United States have been granted based on the length of study since the late 1970s. Doctoral degrees and higher education programs in the United States typically last up to six years.

Applications for extended visas will be allowed, but approval is not guaranteed.

Foreign students have been allowed to stay in the United States indefinitely, which has allowed thousands of people to exploit our immigration system by continually enrolling in courses, Secretary Markwayne Mullin said, writes the Wall Street Journal.