US May Reintroduce Time Limits On Student Visas, Sparking Concerns Among International Students

The Trump administration is revisiting their initial proposal that could reshape how long international students and exchange visitors are allowed to stay in the United States. The draft rule, now under final review by the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, suggests that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may impose fixed-term limits on student and exchange visas — a move that could directly impact thousands of Indian students, as reported by Bloomberg.

At present, international students holding F-1 visas and exchange visitors on J-1 visas are granted what is known as a “duration of status.” This allows them to remain in the U.S. for as long as their academic or cultural exchange program lasts, without needing to reapply for an extension mid-way. The adaptability of this setup has been regarded for a long time as a major contributor to the U.S. being an attractive home for international talent.

But the plan was presented by the Trump administration in 2020 to replace this scheme with fixed visa durations — generally two or four years — based on the country of origin or course of study for the applicant.-

Students and academics with courses extending beyond the allotted time would have had to apply for extensions. The plan was strongly opposed by universities and campaign groups, which argued that such restrictions would create unnecessary bureaucracy and disrupt academic timetables. The regulation was ultimately withdrawn in 2021 under the Biden administration.

The latest draft, though not yet public it also has the same title as the 2020 one, indicating that it might bring back similar limitations. If adopted, the rule would represent a fundamental change in U.S. visa policy, causing new uncertainty for students seeking long-term degrees or those who need additional time to conduct research, internships, or personal reasons.

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