Studying in the United States may soon become more difficult for international students. The administration of Donald Trump is planning a major change in student visa rules that could limit how long foreign students can stay in the country.
The proposed rule is currently being reviewed by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If approved, it could change the current “Duration of Status” (D/S) system used for student visas.
What Is the Current D/S Rule?
At present, international students on F-1 visas can stay in the US as long as they continue studying full-time. This means even if a course officially ends in four years, students can legally remain in the country if their studies continue into a fifth or sixth year.
Under the new proposal, students would get only a fixed stay period. Most F-1 visa holders may not be allowed to stay in the US for more than four years without renewing their visa through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The same rule may also apply to J-1 visa holders, including exchange students and research scholars.
Indian Students Could Face More Pressure
Education experts believe this change could create serious problems for Indian students studying in the US.
According to Ritika Gupta, removing the Duration of Status system could increase uncertainty for students because they would need to follow stricter visa timelines.
She explained that delays in research, internships, university paperwork, or academic programs could make students “out of status,” meaning they could lose their legal stay in the US.
Master’s students may face the biggest challenge because many courses last only 1–2 years. Students may need to quickly apply for visa extensions after completing their programs or risk being forced to return home.
STEM and PhD Students May Be Hit Hard
The proposed rule could have a major impact on students studying STEM subjects — Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Many PhD students spend five to eight years completing research programs. If the visa limit is fixed at four years, they may need to apply for extensions in the middle of their studies.
Students planning to apply for OPT or STEM-OPT work programs after graduation could also face difficulties because these programs require valid student status.
Medical students and dual-degree students may also struggle under the new rule. Longer academic programs could become more stressful due to repeated visa renewals and uncertainty.
Final Decision May Come Soon
The proposed rule, listed under RIN: 1653-AA95, has already reached the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs under the OMB. This is considered the final stage before a rule is officially implemented.
If approved, the change could reshape the future of international education in the US and
