US Tightens Visa Rules for International Students

The Department of Homeland Security’s new regulation mandates that foreign students and exchange visitors adhere to a fixed admission period, fundamentally altering the pathway for those pursuing long-term degrees. Beyond the four-year limit, the policy slashes the post-completion grace period from 60 days to 30 and demands formal USCIS approval for any program extensions. While students currently enrolled under the existing system may retain their status until their program concludes or until November 2030, the change creates significant hurdles for future applicants and those in multi-year research tracks.

Academic institutions warn that this shift threatens to disrupt laboratories and research pipelines. Critics, including policy experts at the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies, argue that the cap ignores the reality of modern education, where doctoral programs and medical training frequently require more than four years to complete. By forcing students to navigate lengthy USCIS backlogs for extensions, the rule risks pushing critical talent out of American universities and into the arms of global competitors.