US latest on immigration: Shrink visa duration for students, media, Pg3

Key Highlights:

• The Donald Trump administration introduced new regulations to shorten visa durations for foreign students, journalists, and cultural exchange visitors.
• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implemented fixed time periods for F visas (students), J visas (cultural exchange), and I visas (journalists).
• Student and exchange visas will now be limited to a maximum of four years, departing from the previous "duration of programme or employment" rule.
• These changes are expected to significantly impact Indian students, with approximately 300,000 Indian students in the US as of January 2025, many in STEM fields.

US Visa Rules.png

Detailed Insights:

• The new rules prohibit graduate students from changing their educational objectives or transferring schools without explicit authorization.
• The grace period for students to depart the US after completing their program has been reduced from 60 to 30 days.
• The regulations will become effective 60 days after their publication in the Federal Register, pending Congressional review.
• The DHS justified the changes by citing challenges in monitoring and overseeing non-immigrants due to a significant increase in visa admissions.
• Visa holders wishing to extend their stay beyond the fixed period must apply for an extension with the DHS or re-enter the US after traveling abroad.
• Following earlier immigration crackdowns, the number of F-1 visas issued to Indian students saw a sharp 69% decline in June-July 2025 compared to the previous year.

Key Concepts Involved:

• F Visa: A non-immigrant visa category for international students pursuing academic or vocational studies in the United States.
• J Visa: A non-immigrant visa category for individuals participating in exchange visitor programs, including cultural and educational exchanges.
• I Visa: A non-immigrant visa category for representatives of foreign media, including journalists, to work in the United States.
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS): A U.S. federal executive department responsible for public security, including immigration enforcement.
• Federal Register: The official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of U.S. federal agencies and organizations.
• STEM: An acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, referring to academic disciplines.