No More Unlimited Stay in US? New Visa Rules May Impact Thousands of Indian Students
A major change in the United States' visa regulations for international students has created uncertainty among foreign students, including thousands of Indians studying in the country.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has decided to end the decades-old "Duration of Status (D/S)" system, which allowed foreign students, exchange visitors, and certain media representatives to stay in the US as long as they maintained their legal status.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has decided to end the decades-old "Duration of Status (D/S)" system, which allowed foreign students, exchange visitors, and certain media representatives to stay in the US as long as they maintained their legal status.
Under the new rules, international students will no longer be allowed to remain in the US indefinitely based on their academic status. Instead, their stay will be limited to a fixed period.
The new policy is set to come into effect from September 15, and it could have significant implications for Indian students currently studying in the US.
The new policy is set to come into effect from September 15, and it could have significant implications for Indian students currently studying in the US.
What Was the "Duration of Status (D/S)" Rule?
Most international students travel to the US on F-1 student visas, while participants in exchange programmes use J-1 visas.
Under the previous system:
Under the previous system:
- Students admitted under D/S did not have a fixed visa end date.
- They could remain in the US as long as they continued their studies and maintained valid immigration status.
- If a course took longer than expected, universities could certify extensions without requiring direct approval from federal immigration authorities.
What Will Change Under the New Rule?
Starting September 15, the visa system will undergo major changes:
Maximum Stay Limit of Four Years
International students entering the US will initially receive permission to stay for a maximum period of four years.
USCIS Approval Required for Extensions
If a student needs more than four years to complete their programme, they will have to apply directly to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an extension instead of relying only on university approval.
Grace Period Reduced
The time given to students after completing their studies to either leave the US or change their visa status will be reduced from 60 days to 30 days.
New Limits for Media Representatives
Foreign journalists and media representatives under the I-category visa will also face stay limits, with a maximum period of 240 days. For Chinese media representatives, the limit will be 90 days.
Why Did the US Government Change the Rule?
According to DHS, the nearly 50-year-old D/S system was being misused by some individuals who enrolled in multiple short-term programmes to remain in the US for extended periods.
The department believes that introducing fixed time limits will:
- Improve transparency in the immigration system
- Prevent misuse of student visas
- Make security checks and background verification easier
- Ensure better monitoring of foreign visitors
How Will Indian Students Be Affected?
Indian students are expected to be among those most impacted by the new regulations, given that India remains one of the largest sources of international students in the US.
Will Current Fall Semester Students Be Affected?
Experts believe students joining US universities in the upcoming Fall Semester may not face immediate difficulties, as most visa processes are likely to be completed before the September 15 deadline.
Challenges for Students Already in the US
The biggest concerns are for students already pursuing their education, especially those whose programmes may extend beyond four years.
Possible challenges include:
Possible challenges include:
- Stricter approvals: Students may have to directly convince US immigration authorities about the need for an extension.
- More paperwork: Additional documentation, biometric checks, and detailed background verification could become part of the extension process.
- Greater uncertainty: Delays in approvals could affect students' academic plans and legal stay in the country.
What Lies Ahead for Indian Students?
While the practical impact of the new rules will become clearer after implementation in September, experts expect the process of staying and extending visas in the US to become more regulated.
For Indian students planning to study in America, understanding the new visa requirements and maintaining proper documentation will become more important than ever.
