Like many other international students, I came to the United States with big dreams, a graduate scholarship, and a steep learning curve. I adapted to the new culture, built credit; and learned that I needed a Social Security Number for a work permit. At the same time, I had to maintain my grade point average to keep my funding. Fortunately, the Duration of Status attached to my F-1 visa gave me flexibility to focus on my academics. However, recent changes to the Federal Immigration Policy have raised serious risks to students’ futures. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has caused severe uncertainty for students in their attempts to introduce a final rule that abolishes Duration of Status and substitutes it with a fixed “Admit Until Date.” This rule, now blocked by a federal judge, limits most international students to stay for four consecutive years on their Form I-94, regardless of degree level or program length.
According to International Student Services at the University of Washington, Duration of Status is a federal policy that allows international and exchange students to progress toward their academic goals without worrying about their educational timeline. When homesickness and the pressure of a fast-paced program caused me to lose my funding in my first semester, the anxiety I felt was not uncommon. For international students, retaining academic grades is not the only issue. Tuition costs, employment restrictions, visa uncertainty, and career opportunities; such as post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT); can risk their future studies and careers.
Impending policy changes threaten to intensify these challenges. As mentioned on the DHS website, with this final rule, F-1 students who need additional time to complete coursework or engage in post- completion OPT must apply for a formal extension of stay with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The rule shifts oversight of student academic progress from campus designated school officials to federal immigration officers, as documented in the Federal Register. The regulation also shortens the post-completion grace period from 60 to 30 days and adds rules about changing majors or transferring to other institutions. Under the new policy, students who do apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT extensions after March 18, 2027; must meet the fixed Admit Until Date requirement and apply for an extension, as mentioned on the ISS website.
When I lost my funding, Duration of Status provided me with legal stability to recover. With support from International Student Services, I raised my GPA by enrolling in multiple summer courses and earned a research assistant position at the University of Kentucky’s Human Development Institute. The position covered full tuition and provided a stipend for food and housing. I had room to recover and rebuild, proving that one difficult semester would not erase my potential. As a current graduate student at the University of Washington Bothell and a naturalized citizen, I no longer have concerns about visa status. But the impact on incoming and current students remains severe.
Data from the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition show that Washington state had 24,640 international students enrolled in 2024 to 2025, who contributed around $950 million to the state economy. International students bring diverse perspectives to the University of Washington’s campus discussions, research, and student leadership. However, according to NAFSA, ongoing visa complications and administrative obstacles have disrupted international enrollment since 2025, resulting in an estimated $24.6 million in lost revenue for the state.
To understand how these DHS policy changes affect international students at the University of Washington Bothell campus, the Husky Herald spoke with UWB International Student Services. Associate Director Blake Baxter talked about the structural changes in the policies that students could deal with. Associate Director Baxter said, “The main purpose of the new rule is to remove Duration of Status. It also introduces new regulations around academic mobility, with some limitations to change of major and degree progression. Our current students utilize ISS advisors, academic advisors, and their own ingenuity to navigate successful academic pathways within those limitations. I do not doubt their ability to do the same under the new rule.
These additional legal forms and procedures create significant difficulties for students already balancing heavy academic schedules. Reports from Inside Higher Ed shows that this proposed visa rule has already caused dips in international applications and enrollments this fall quarter as prospective students measure the risk of administrative delays against their academic goals. Associate Director Baxter discussed how this can affect the University of Washington Bothell students. Baxter explained that support mechanisms are still being developed in response to federal guidelines saying, “We cannot yet tell which parts of the new rule will significantly affect our students or whether those effects will last long. The mechanisms to support the new rule largely do not yet exist, and the new rule allows many aspects to be delayed for upwards of two years if DHS finds something infeasible for any reason.” Baxter confirmed that schools across the U.S. have received detailed information to help Designated School Officials process student requests under this new rule if implemented.
The Duration of Status gave me a grace period when I needed it, and it helped me adjust to the demanding educational system. Although International Student Services will help students to adjust and deal with any potential changes, institutional adaptation takes time, which is now limited by federal guidelines. For higher education to continue to help lead in global innovation and research, federal policies should recognize that students’ potential should not be limited by a fixed deadline.
UWB International Student Services are frequently updating their online resources to help students. Students with questions about their Form I-20, program end dates, Curriculum Practical Training/Optional Practical Training applications, or travel plans are strongly advised to contact an advisor. For more information or assistance, please contact International Student Services here at (425) 352-3876 or visit Summit Hall (Enrollment Services) between 9am- 4pm on Monday-Friday for walk-in advising appointments.
Leave a Reply