US DHS Proposes New Visa Rules for Foreign Students
Updated: August 28, 2025, 07:06 AM IST
DHS Proposes Fixed Admission Periods for Nonimmigrant Students and Exchange Visitors
Learn how the new US DHS proposal could change visa rules for foreign students on F, J, and I visas, ending duration of status for fixed periods. Impacts on international education explained.
The US Department of Homeland Security has put out a new plan. It wants to change how foreign students stay in the country. Right now, many students on F, J, and I visas can stay as long as they follow the rules. This is called duration of status. But the DHS says that system needs to go. Instead, they want fixed time limits. This could affect thousands of students from around the world.
First, let’s look at what the plan says. For F visa holders, who are full-time students, the stay would be up to four years. The same goes for J visa holders, who are exchange visitors. If you need more time, you have to ask DHS for an extension. No more automatic stays. Also, the grace period after you finish school drops from 60 days to 30 days. That means less time to pack up and leave or find work.
Moreover, there are rules for switching programs. Graduate students on F-1 visas can’t change majors easily in the middle. For I visa holders, who are foreign media workers, the limit is 240 days most times. But for some from China, it might be different. The DHS thinks this will help check if people follow the laws better.
Why make these changes now? The government points to safety and better tracking. Under the old way, officers don’t check often enough. With more students coming in, it’s hard to keep up. For example, in 2023, over 1.6 million F-1 students entered the US. Plus, about 500,000 J visitors and 32,470 I holders came too. That’s a lot of people. The DHS says fixed times will stop fraud and keep things fair. It matches how other visas work, like work visas that have end dates.
However, this could hurt students. Many programs take longer than four years. Think about PhD students or those in medicine. They might need to file papers and pay fees to stay. That adds stress and money worries. Schools say it could scare away smart people from coming to the US. Fewer students mean less money for colleges. One report shows international students add billions to the economy each year.
Additionally, let’s think about who this hits most. Students from India make up a big group. Over 300,000 Indian students study in the US now. They often go for tech and business degrees. If rules get tighter, it might push them to Canada or Australia instead. But the US wants top talent. So, this plan might backfire.
Data shows the growth of foreign students. From 2010 to 2023, numbers went up by 50 percent. Here’s a simple graph description: Imagine a line chart starting low in 2010 at about 700,000 students, rising to 1 million in 2015, then peaking at 1.6 million in 2023. The line goes up steady, but with a dip in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Furthermore, the plan comes from worries under the Trump team. They tried something like this in 2020, but it got stopped. Now, in 2025, it’s back. DHS says it helps national security. They point to overstay rates, which are low at about 3 percent for students. Still, they want more checks.
What can students do? If you’re on a visa, watch for updates. The proposal has a comment period. People can share thoughts for 30 or 60 days. After that, it might become law. Talk to your school advisor. Plan ahead for extensions.
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This change could reshape education ties between countries. From Asia to Europe, Africa to South America, students dream of US schools. But tougher rules might change that. Yet, the US still leads in top universities. Time will tell if this helps or hurts.
In the end, the goal is safety. But students bring ideas and growth. Balancing both is key. Stay tuned for
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