New Regulation Would Change Open-Ended Stays for Visa Programs

May 8, 2026 · WOWERI

The US Department of Homeland Security has announced new rules for open-ended stays in the US, affecting F, J, and I visa programs.

Introduction

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced new rules for open-ended stays in the US, affecting F, J, and I visa programs. According to DHS, these changes are necessary to support the integrity of the F, J, and I visa programs, facilitate applicant vetting, and bring these nonimmigrant visa programs in line with the statutory scheme.

What's Changing

The new rules will change the open-ended stays for certain visa programs. This means that applicants for these visas will have to specify the exact duration of their stay in the US.

Impact on Applicants

These changes may affect applicants who plan to stay in the US for an extended period. Applicants will have to carefully plan their stay and specify the exact duration of their stay in the US.

Sources

New Regulation Would Change Open-Ended Stays for Certain Visa Programs

Source: cis.org