‘No longer than four years’: US plans visa curbs for foreign students, professors — What’s changing
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has unveiled a new proposal to impose fixed admission periods on foreign students, exchange visitors and representatives of overseas media, ending the decades-old practice of granting stays of indefinite “duration of status.” The Trump administration said the change is designed to curb visa abuse and strengthen oversight.Also read: From September 2, US visa interview waiver only in special cases“For too long, past Administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to remain in the US virtually indefinitely, posing safety risks, costing untold amount of taxpayer dollars, and disadvantaging US citizens,” a DHS spokesperson said. “This new proposed rule would end that abuse once and for all by limiting the amount of time certain visa holders are allowed to remain in the US, easing the burden on the federal government to properly oversee foreign students and their history.”The proposed framework would introduce the following changes:
F and J visa holders , including academic students and exchange visitors, would be admitted for the length of their programme, capped at four years.- Graduate-level F-1 students would face restrictions on changing programmes mid-course.
- The grace period for F-1 students after completion of studies would be reduced from 60 to 30 days.
- I visa holders, representing foreign media, would be granted an initial admission of 240 days, with possible extensions of up to 240 days, but no longer than their assignment.
- Chinese media representatives may face additional restrictions under national security provisions.
Officials argue that fixed terms would allow officers to “periodically and directly assess whether nonimmigrants are complying with the conditions of their classifications and US immigration laws.” According to DHS, the absence of clear end dates under the current system “does not afford immigration officers enough predetermined opportunities to directly verify that aliens are engaging only in authorised activities.”
We’re going to change the green card: Trump official
The United States is set to overhaul its immigration policies, with particular focus on the H-1B visa programme and green cards, according to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. Speaking to Fox News, Lutnick revealed plans for a new “gold card” initiative, offering permanent residency to wealthy foreigners who invest USD 5 million in the US. “I’m involved in changing the H1B visa program. We’re going to change that program because that’s terrible right. We’re going to change the green card,” Lutnick said. He added, “That’s the gold card that’s coming. And that’s we’re gonna start picking the best people to come into this country. It’s time for that to change.”Despite previously criticising the H-1B programme, Trump has recently reaffirmed support for it, saying that there is a need for “competent” and “great” individuals. However, the administration has also launched a sweeping review of all 55 million active visas globally, including over five million held by Indians. This includes social media checks, electronic device data, and IRS tax records. Violations may result in visa revocations and deportations. Critics, including the ACLU, warn these measures threaten civil liberties and risk economic harm. Nonetheless, officials insist the policies are essential for national security, despite concerns of discrimination and disruption.
