Indian students in the United States will soon face additional visa restrictions and scrutiny as the Donald Trump government continues to modify its policies. Changes proposed by the US Department of Homeland Security are likely to make it harder for international students, exchange visitors, and foreign journalists to study, work, or report from the country. The growing list of updates also includes a fresh curb on change of courses or universities as well as additional limits on visa duration and OPT grace period.
According to the newly tightened F1 student visa program, new arrivals will only be able to transfer universities after completing one year of study. The rule is expected to be implemented fully within the next one or two months — likely affecting Indian students eyeing Fall admissions to the US. The new framework will also require students to obtain a fresh visa if they wish to pursue a second degree and shorten the post-OPT grace period for international students.
Who can change their program or major under new rules?
The changes proposed by the Department of Homeland Security will ensure that undergraduate students on an F-1 visa will not be able to change their program or major during the first year of study — except for limited exceptions. Graduate pupils on the same visa cannot alter their program or field of study at all once admitted.
Students who have completed a program at a certain level cannot pursue another program at the same or lower level while holding an F-1 visa. The current flexible system where visa duration is decided on the basis of program length will also be removed. Instead students will how be allocated fixed term F1 visas depending on the level of education.
Heightened scrutiny
Students seeking an F1 visa will also face additional scrutiny while going through the application process. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services has reportedly directed officers to examine the conduct, immigration history, family ties, and any association with anti-American or terrorist ideologies for each application. The updated manual also specifies that any endorsement, promotion, or support of anti-American or antisemitic ideologies or terrorist organisations may lead to visa denial or revocation. – Officers have been asked to apply discretionary analysis — weighing both positive and negative factors — before approving student visa applications.