US tightens student visa rules, caps stays at four years for Indians

Washington,UPDATED: Jul 17, 2026 10:18 IST

The US has tightened visa rules for foreign students, exchange visitors and journalists, ending a decades-old policy that allowed them to remain in the country without a fixed end date. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the new regulations set a fixed period of admission for non-immigrant visa holders in the F, J and I categories, a move likely to affect a large number of Indians.

Under the new rule, students on F visas and exchange visitors on J visas will be admitted for the length of their specific programme, but not for more than four years. The rule also cuts the time F visa holders have to leave the country, transfer from school or change their status after graduation from 60 days to 30 days. Journalists on I visas will now have their stay capped at 240 days, and at 90 days for Chinese nationals. Current visa holders in the US under the earlier system will move automatically to the new system, with their authorised stay capped at a maximum of four years from the rule’s effective date.

The F category covers students, the J category covers exchange visitors, and the I category is for journalists. At present, student visas are allowed for the duration of studies, along with up to three years after graduation through optional practical training. Under the current rules, there is no specific time period for journalists’ visas, and they can last for years.

In a statement, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said, “For decades, foreign students have been admitted into the US indefinitely, allowing thousands to abuse our immigration system by perpetually enrolling in courses to avoid having to leave the US.” He said that by setting clear and finite limits on these visas, the US was reclaiming its ability to properly screen, vet and monitor people within its borders. “This final rule ensures that foreign students remain focused on their primary purpose: completing their studies and returning home,” he said.

The DHS said the change restores integrity to the immigration system, tackles visa abuse and strengthens national security through regular vetting. It said fixed periods of admission already apply to many other kinds of non-immigrant visas. Since 1978, foreign students had been admitted for an unspecified period, which, it said, enabled thousands to become “forever students” by continuing to enrol in courses to avoid departure.

According to the Open Doors 2025 report, 363,019 international students from India were enrolled at US colleges and universities during the 2024-25 academic year, a 9.5 per cent change from the previous year. The report said students from India account for nearly 31 per cent of all international students in the US.

Visa holders who need more time to complete an academic programme will have to apply formally for an Extension of Stay directly with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. The DHS said this shifts oversight from university staff back to federal authorities and subjects applicants to biometric vetting, background checks and fraud screening. The rule also introduces strict limits on academic changes.

In effect, the new US rules replace the earlier open-ended system for students, exchange visitors and journalists with fixed limits, shorter post-study timelines and closer federal oversight, with Indian students set to be among those affected.

With PTI Inputs

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