US plans time limit on student visas; likely to hit plans of Indians

The Donald Trump administration is mulling a contentious bill, initially proposed during the President’s first term, aiming to replace the current flexible student visa system with a fixed period of stay. The move is yet another strong measure to deter immigration, and is expected to hit students from India on F-1 and J-1 visas.

The change, proposed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), would affect overseas students, exchange visitors, and representatives of foreign media.

Currently, international students holding F-1 visas and exchange visitors on J-1 visas are granted “duration of status”, allowing them to remain in the US as long as they maintain full-time enrolment or participation in their designated programme.

Notably, exchange visitors include students, professors, scholars, specialists, trainees, teachers, interns, au pairs, and physicians, among others.

The proposed rule has reportedly been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. Following this, the rule will be published in the Federal Register. Typically, a 30-or 60-day public comment period follows before finalisation, which may take months. However, the rule could reportedly be issued as an interim final rule, taking effect immediately without public input.

Under current regulations, F-1 and J-1 visa holders are not assigned a specific departure date upon admission, allowing them to stay in the U.S. as long as they remain engaged in the activities for which their visa was issued, such as full-time study or program participation.

More details of the proposal are awaited.

The proposal was reportedly opposed by higher education groups, who said it would cause needless disruption to academic programs, reported Bloomberg.

With over 3.3 lakh students, Indians were the largest cohort of international students in the US, and the proposal may adversely affect them.

Notably, the US Embassy in India had also issued a warning to foreigners on May 14 about the serious consequences of staying in the United States beyond the allowed time on their visa.

The embassy had posted on X, saying, “If you remain in the United States beyond your authorised period of stay, you could be deported and could face a permanent ban on travelling to the United States in the future.”

The warning in May followed President Donald Trump’s recent crackdown on immigrant students, which began in April.

Many students have been forced to leave the country after their F-1, J-1, or M-1 visa status was abruptly revoked and their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records cancelled — often due to minor past infractions.

In April, through a series of executive actions, Trump had directed increased scrutiny of US colleges and their accrediting agencies. These orders target what Trump perceives as unchecked liberal influence and an excessive focus on diversity and equity in educational institutions.

Additionally, Trump has also sought to address anti-semitism on campuses, accusing his predecessor, Joe Biden, of failing to hold universities accountable.

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