This bill, the Student Visa Integrity Act of 2026, aims to strengthen student and exchange visitor visa programs through enhanced security, stricter oversight, and new restrictions. It increases criminal penalties for visa fraud committed by educational institution officials to 15 years imprisonment and mandates accreditation for academic institutions participating in these programs, with limited waiver possibilities.

Educational institutions face new reporting requirements, including disclosing the date full tuition is paid and any financial ties to the Government of the People's Republic of China. Non-compliance with SEVIS reporting can lead to fines, suspension of document issuance, or termination of program approval. Furthermore, suspicion or conviction of fraud by school officials can result in immediate suspension or permanent disqualification from program participation.

The legislation introduces rigorous eligibility reviews for school officials, requiring them to be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, pass criminal and immigration background checks, and complete mandatory training. It also establishes rules for third-party promoters and recruiters of foreign students, including registration and potential barring for violations. Institutions are prohibited from issuing visa documents to transfer students and students are generally prevented from changing their reported program of study.

A significant change is the implementation of definite end dates for F, J, and M nonimmigrant stays, typically capped at four years, plus a 30-day departure period, replacing the previous "duration of status." Shorter two-year limits apply to students from countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism or those with high visa overstay rates, and for students attending institutions not participating in E-Verify. Mandatory in-person interviews are required for certain high-risk students seeking extensions or changes of status.

The bill imposes specific restrictions on fields of study and nationalities. It prohibits nationals from designated countries of concern (e.g., Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and state sponsors of terrorism) from participating in flight training, aviation maintenance, or nuclear science/engineering programs. Additionally, citizens of "foreign adversary" countries, including China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and the Maduro Regime in Venezuela, are broadly excluded from seeking any higher education in the United States.

Online education is significantly curtailed, with no more than 10 percent of a student's class time or credits per session, or overall program, allowed to be taken online for F, M, or J visa holders. Employers of alien students must participate in E-Verify, report employment details and changes, and attest under penalty of perjury that the student will not displace a U.S. worker and that employment terms are comparable to those for U.S. workers.

Finally, the legislation mandates the completion of the SEVIS II modernization within two years, with provisions for fee collection to cover costs. It also requires annual audits and site visits for at least one percent of approved institutions and ensures that visa applicants review a pamphlet on protections for domestic workers before visa issuance.