Student Visa Integrity Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26]
Introduced
Summary
Tighten oversight of international students and the schools that enroll them. It would boost fraud penalties, require accreditation and foreign‑funding disclosures, limit who and how long people may study on F, J, and M visas, and push a new paperless SEVIS II tracking system.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.
Shorter student stays and transfer limits
This bill would shorten how long many students may stay and cut flexibility. Authorized stays would be the shorter of the program length or 4 years, plus a 30-day post-study leave in most cases. Language training would be limited to 2 years total and public high school to 1 year total. The bill would cap online coursework at 10% per session and program and treat classes over 50% online as fully online. Students could not change the major listed on their I-20, and schools could not issue SEVIS transfer documents for moving students.
Stricter rules for student employment
This bill would make employers follow new rules to hire student visa holders. Employers must participate in E-Verify and report the job, location, and wage to the student's school. Employers must notify the school within 48 hours if the student quits, is fired, or misses five work days. Employers must swear they will not replace U.S. workers and that pay is commensurate. If Labor finds employer violations, DHS would deny students permission to work for that employer for at least 1, 3, or 10 years depending on the violation.
Higher school accreditation and screening
This bill would force most colleges and language schools to be accredited by Education Department–recognized accreditors to enroll F or M students. DHS could give only narrow one-year waivers and must end approval if an accreditor withdraws accreditation. Schools seeking SEVP certification would need to disclose certain contracts and funding from PRC-funded groups. School officials with SEVIS access would need U.S. citizenship or green-card status, background checks, and training. Recruiters must register with ICE and have written agreements. Certain students would face in-person security interviews, and consular officers would review a trafficking-resources pamphlet with visa applicants.
New student tracking system and fees
This bill would require DHS and State to finish a paperless student tracking system (SEVIS II) within two years. SEVIS II would use one person-centered record and let DHS collect more data. Schools would have to report the date full tuition was paid and face yearly site visits or audits of at least 1% of approved schools. DHS could fine schools at least $1,000 for certain reporting failures and could charge schools fees to cover SEVIS II and eligibility reviews. The bill would move some SEVIS fee authority to DHS.
Limits on flight and sensitive training
This bill would narrow who can get certain training and which schools can teach it. Flight schools would lose permission to train foreign students unless they meet FAA and Homeland Security certification. Language study would count only for people in F, J, or M status; flight training would count only for people in F or M status except short refresher courses. The Departments would deny visas or end status for people from listed countries who seek certain sensitive fields or flight training.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26]
TX • R
Cosponsors
Nehls
TX • R
Sponsored 1/14/2026
Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10]
GA • R
Sponsored 1/14/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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