A significant modification to US immigration regulations may soon complicate the ability of international students to stay in the country for the entirety of their academic programs without seeking additional approvals.
The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved a final regulation proposed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that aims to replace the long-established 'Duration of Status' (D/S) system for international students and exchange visitors with fixed admission periods.
This initiative represents one of the most substantial modifications to student visa regulations in recent years and could impact thousands of Indian students intending to pursue their studies in the United States.
Following the OMB's approval of the final rule, it will be published in the Federal Register, with an expected implementation period of 30 to 60 days.
The new regulation will replace the D/S system with a defined admission period, which may require international students to obtain additional governmental approvals to continue their education beyond the sanctioned admission period.
Immigration specialists caution that this modification could introduce further challenges for international students, especially those on extended academic trajectories.
Students may encounter risks related to extension filings and unlawful presence, and the proposal might reduce the F-1 student grace period following program completion from 60 days to 30 days.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has contended that the current Duration of Status (D/S) system complicates the monitoring of visa compliance and the tracking of overstays.
India ranks among the largest contributors of international students to the United States, and for Indian students, the potential consequences could be considerable.
Students who are on extended academic journeys might need to request extensions from USCIS, and the proposal considers shortening the existing 60-day grace period that F-1 students currently have after finishing their program.
The White House has just finished reviewing the final regulation, and the subsequent step involves the publication of the final rule, followed by the government's announcement of an effective date.
