The rules governing international student visas are getting stricter in the United States. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has submitted a final proposal to end the long-standing “Duration of Status” system for F, J, and I visa holders. This move, if implemented, would affect many international students, including from India.
At present in the existing framework, international students are allowed to stay as long as they continue their studies and follow the visa rules. If the proposed rule is implemented, then it will set fixed stay periods, which will most likely be capped at four years. International students who require additional time to complete their studies would have to apply for extensions through the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services). Once the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) reviews the proposal, the rule would reportedly take effect as early as September 2026, potentially impacting students entering during the fall semester. The extension approvals would therefore be shifted from the universities to immigration authorities.
The changes would lead to uncertainty among the students. Any delays or rejections in visa extension approvals could make students leave the United States before finishing their studies. The changes may also impact Optional Practical Training (OPT), a program that enables international students to gain work experience in the United States after graduation.
Education organizations have put forward that the proposed changes could weaken the United States’ appeal among international students. Further, NAFSA, an association representing international educators, said the policy would create significant uncertainty and may discourage students from pursuing higher education in the U.S. Universities are concerned that stricter visa rules could negatively affect student enrollment, academic research, and innovation efforts that depend heavily on global talent.
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