Student Visa Integrity Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7063
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Immigration
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-14: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-22T08:08:24Z
AI-Generated Summary
Student Visa Integrity Act of 2026 (H.R. 7063)
Purpose
The legislation aims to enhance the security, integrity, and oversight of U.S. student and exchange visitor visa programs (primarily F, J, and M visas) by strengthening compliance requirements, increasing penalties for fraud, improving tracking systems, and restricting access to sensitive fields of study for nationals of certain countries. It seeks to prevent visa misuse, protect national security, and ensure educational institutions meet accreditation and reporting standards.
Key Provisions
- Increased Penalties for Fraud: Raises the maximum prison sentence for visa document fraud (under 18 U.S.C. § 1546) from 10 to 15 years if committed by officials of an educational institution participating in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
- Accreditation Requirements: Mandates that academic institutions, language training programs, and study programs (except public K-12 schools) must be accredited by agencies recognized by the Secretary of Education to participate in SEVP. Waivers are available for up to 1 year (extendable) for institutions making progress toward accreditation, with DHS maintaining a public list of waived institutions.
- Enhanced Reporting Obligations:
- Institutions must report the date full tuition is paid by students.
- Higher education institutions must disclose contracts, agreements, or financial ties with entities funded by the People's Republic of China (PRC).
- Failure to comply with Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) reporting triggers fines (minimum $1,000), suspension of document issuance (e.g., Form I-20 or DS-2019), or termination of SEVP approval after 180 days.
- Fraud Response Measures:
- Immediate suspension of SEVP certification or access if fraud is suspected or an indictment occurs.
- Permanent disqualification from SEVP participation for officials convicted of serious crimes, including immigration violations, espionage, human trafficking, or related offenses.
- Eligibility and Background Checks:
- Principals, designated school officials, and responsible officers must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents; undergo criminal, sex offender, and immigration status reviews every 4 years; and complete mandatory online training.
- Institutions must have multiple such officials; non-compliant ones face document audits.
- Direct and third-party recruiters must register with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), meet qualifications, and follow guidelines; violations lead to suspension or bans.
- Employer and Student Restrictions:
- Employers of F-1 students on optional practical training must use E-Verify (an electronic system to check work eligibility), report job details and terminations within 48 hours, and attest that the job does not displace U.S. workers.
- Bans or delays on employment authorization for students working for non-compliant employers (1–10 years depending on violation severity).
- Students cannot transfer between institutions without prior approval; must commit to their initial major/program; and face limits on changing fields.
- Program Integrity and Audits:
- Annual site visits and audits of at least 1% of institutions with graduated students.
- Institutions may require upfront tuition payment.
- Flight training providers must be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under specific regulations to receive SEVP approval; non-certified ones lose certification immediately.
- Loss of accreditation triggers automatic termination of SEVP approval.
- Restrictions on Certain Nationals:
- Bans nationals of Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, or state sponsors of terrorism from flight training, aviation maintenance, nuclear-related studies, or Iran's energy sector.
- DHS may designate additional "countries of concern" based on terrorism risks, with annual reviews.
- Excludes citizens of "foreign adversaries" (e.g., China including Hong Kong/Macau, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Maduro's Venezuela, or others posing security threats) from pursuing any higher education in the U.S.
- Repeals a prior law restricting Iranian students in sensitive fields.
- Visa and Stay Limitations:
- Admits students for a definite period (up to 4 years or program length, whichever is shorter, plus 30 days post-study), with exceptions for language (max 2 years aggregate) or high school (max 1 year).
- 2-year limits (with 2-year extensions) for students from high-overstay or terrorism-sponsoring countries, or institutions not in good standing with E-Verify.
- In-person interviews (no remote options) required for extensions/changes by nationals of certain countries, those in sensitive fields, or security-flagged individuals.
- Online/distance education limited to 10% of a session's or program's total credits/time; J visas prohibited if over 10% is online.
- Tracks all nonimmigrants pursuing full-time study, even if not initially in F/J/M status.
- Language training and flight training restricted to F/M status (with exceptions for short refresher courses).
- System and Procedural Updates:
- Requires full deployment of SEVIS II (a modernized, paperless, unified tracking system) within 2 years; costs recovered via fees on institutions.
- Clarifies data sharing with DHS; tightens reporting deadlines to program start dates.
- Allows fee adjustments for SEVIS operations.
- Consular officers must review a pamphlet on protections for domestic workers and nonimmigrants (e.g., against trafficking) before issuing F/J/M visas.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Amendments: Updates definitions (e.g., adds language programs to F visas, removes outdated language); mandates accreditation and tuition reporting; limits stays, online study, and field changes; expands tracking under SEVIS.
- Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) of 1996 Amendments: Adds China disclosure rules; strengthens SEVIS penalties (fines, suspensions, terminations); introduces eligibility reviews, recruiter oversight, and employer E-Verify mandates; allows pre-tuition requirements and bans on transfers/major changes.
- Other Changes: Increases fraud penalties in U.S. Code; repeals a 2012 Iran-specific restriction; requires accreditors to notify DHS/State of accreditation losses; mandates SEVIS II upgrades and a GAO effectiveness report by December 31, 2026.
- Effective dates vary: Most immediate upon enactment; eligibility reviews and some provisions delayed 1 year.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases workload for DHS (SEVP/ICE for reviews, audits, SEVIS II), State Department (visa denials, interviews), and FAA (flight certifications); enables fee recovery but may strain resources initially. Enhances interagency coordination (e.g., with DOJ, DNI for interviews).
- Citizens and Institutions: U.S. educational institutions face higher compliance costs, accreditation burdens, and risks of fines/termination; may limit international enrollment. U.S. employers hiring student workers must adopt E-Verify, potentially reducing administrative burdens long-term but increasing scrutiny.
- International Relations: Could strain ties with restricted countries (e.g., China, Iran, Russia) by limiting student access, seen as a national security measure but possibly viewed as discriminatory. May reduce U.S. soft power through education while protecting sensitive technologies from espionage or terrorism risks.
- Students: More barriers for applicants from adversarial/high-risk countries; stricter stay limits and reporting may deter enrollment or lead to status revocations, affecting ~1 million annual international students.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Government Entities: Department of Homeland Security (DHS/SEVP/ICE), Department of State (visa processing), Department of Education (accreditation recognition), Federal Aviation Administration (flight providers), and accrediting agencies.
- Educational Institutions: Universities, colleges, language schools, and flight training providers; must comply with new rules or risk losing SEVP status.
- International Students and Exchange Visitors: Particularly those from China, Iran, Russia, and terrorism-linked countries; face visa denials, study restrictions, and shorter stays.
- Employers and Recruiters: Companies hiring F-1 students and third-party agents promoting U.S. education; subject to E-Verify, reporting, and oversight.
- U.S. Citizens/Taxpayers: Indirectly affected through enhanced security (reduced fraud risks) and potential economic benefits from protected innovation, balanced against higher program costs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens enforcement against fraud and non-compliance but introduces discretionary powers (e.g., waivers, designations, suspensions) that could lead to lawsuits over arbitrariness or inconsistent application. Permanent disqualifications and immediate actions may raise due process concerns under the 5th Amendment.
- Constitutional: Country-based restrictions (e.g., on Chinese or Iranian nationals) might face equal protection challenges under the 14th Amendment if deemed discriminatory without sufficient security justification; disclosure of China ties could implicate 1st Amendment free association rights for institutions.
- Political: Emphasizes national security amid U.S.-China tensions and terrorism concerns, potentially bipartisan appeal on immigration integrity but criticism for xenophobia or overreach in limiting educational exchange. The GAO report provision ensures congressional oversight, promoting accountability.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22], Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-14: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-01-14: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-01-14: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-14: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Student Visa Integrity Act of 2026 — issued 2026-01-14 — PDF (45 pages)