Every year, lakhs of Indian students apply for a US visa to study there. But the process of getting a US visa is already difficult, and now it is going to become even stricter.
The Trump government has announced several changes to the visa policy, which will be implemented in the coming months.
Students must now be more careful and fully understand these new rules so that their visa process does not face problems.
From August 1, 2025, passports will have to be collected either in person or through a paid delivery service. The option of passport collection through a third person has been stopped.
Only children under 18 years of age will be allowed to authorize a parent to collect it on their behalf, but only with a signed authority letter. Scanned or emailed copies of this letter will not be accepted.
New Rules for Foreign Students
The biggest change will affect foreign students who go to America on an F-1 visa.
Until now, students could study in the US on a single visa for the entire duration of their course, no matter how long it was.
This rule has been in place since 1978, and under it, students could also do internships along with their studies.
However, under the new rules, the US government has proposed a time limit for foreign students.
Now, a student visa will only be valid for up to 4 years. If the course duration is more than four years, students will have to apply again for a new visa.
What This Means for Students
A student visa will be valid for maximum 4 years only.
Students enrolled in courses longer than 4 years must reapply for a visa.
The facility of doing internships along with studies will end after the rule change.
The proposed rule has been presented for public feedback, and people will be given 30 days to submit their suggestions.
