Washington — The State Department has issued a new rule that will allow American colleges and universities to sponsor foreign students to work in the United States for up to 12 months.

The rule, published today in the Federal Register, amends the Exchange Visitor Program. Under existing regulations, it is difficult for American colleges to sponsor foreign students to be placed in companies or organizations as interns because there is no provision for that purpose.

Many colleges welcome the change in part because it will help them develop exchange programs with foreign institutions. Those institutions, in turn, would accept American students for internships overseas. The rule will take effect on July 21. —Karin Fischer