US student visa rules are changing on September 15: Who could be affected and how
The US Department of Homeland Security is replacing the 'Duration of Status' visa system with a fixed four-year admission period for F-1 and J-1 visa holders starting September 15. This change aims to increase oversight but has raised concerns among universities regarding the impact on students in long-term academic programs.
Why it matters
This policy shift significantly impacts the large population of international students in the US, particularly those from India, by creating potential administrative hurdles for degree completion.
The United States has overhauled its student visa framework, replacing the decades-old "Duration of Status" (D/S) system with fixed periods of admission for F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors.According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the changes are aimed at curbing visa abuse, strengthening security checks and bringing greater federal oversight to international students.The new rules, which take effect on September 15, introduce a maximum four-year stay for most students, shorten the post-study grace period and require government approval for extensions beyond the authorised stay.The changes are particularly significant for Indian students, who now make up the largest international student community in the US.More than 3.6 lakh Indians were enrolled in American universities during the 2024-25 academic year, many of them pursuing master's, doctoral and STEM programmes that often extend beyond four years.While the DHS says the new framework will improve monitoring of foreign students, universities and higher education…
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