Trump admin limits students visa tenure to fixed period of 4 yrs, limits academic flexibility
The US Department of Homeland Security has implemented new regulations limiting international student visas to a fixed four-year term and restricting academic flexibility. These changes eliminate the 'duration of status' model and impose strict rules on changing majors or programs for F-1 visa holders.
Why it matters
This policy shift significantly impacts the US higher education sector and international student enrollment, particularly for India, which sends the largest number of students to the US.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has finalised a major regulatory change that will add to the cost of higher studies in the US through periodic visa extensions and also lead to uncertainty.Under the new rule, most international students (F-1 visa holders) will be admitted to the US for a fixed period of up to four years, the grace period available has been halved to 30 days. F-1 students enrolled in English language training programmes will have a limited aggregate 24-month period of stay.Currently, international students can stay in the US, as long as they are studying. The new rule eliminates this ‘duration of status’ concept and subjects international students (F1 visa holders), exchange visitors (J visa holders) and representatives of foreign media to fixed periods of stay.In a double whammy, the new rule also introduces new restrictions on academic flexibility.
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