The Department of Homeland Security published a final rule eliminating the 'duration of status' system that allowed foreign students, exchange visitors, and media representatives on F, J, and I visas to remain in the U.S. indefinitely. The rule imposes fixed admission periods of up to four years, requires federal extension applications through USCIS with biometric vetting, and reduces the post-graduation departure grace period from 60 to 30 days. The changes take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.