Trump Administration Moves to Cap Student Visa Tenure; Indian Students Face New Uncertainty

Decision will impact more than 420,000 Indian students, who are studying in United States.

Trump administration has revived a proposal to limit duration of stay for international students including those on F‑1 (student) and J‑1 (exchange visitor) visas. Proposal is currently under review by Office of Management and Budget (OMB), would replace long-standing "duration of status" policy with a fixed visa tenure of two or four years.

Fixed Visa Tenure

Current system allows students to stay in U.S. for as long as they are enrolled in a valid academic program. While, proposed change would impose a time-bound visa validity, requiring students to apply for an extension if their program duration exceeds fixed period. This could affect Indian students enrolled in PhD programs or dual-degree courses that take more than four years to complete.

Indian Students at Centre

Indian students have consistently formed second-largest international student population in the U.S., many of whom are pursuing STEM degrees, research programs, and professional courses. New proposal has raised among Indian students and their families back home, who fear that policy could jeopardize academic continuity, internship opportunities, and future employment prospects under programs like Optional Practical Training (OPT) and H-1B visas.

What’s Next?

Proposal is currently under OMB review, if approved, it will be published in Federal Register.

A Call for Clarity and Support

Amid these policy uncertainties, stakeholders in both India and the U.S. are calling for greater transparency and student-friendly reforms. The fear among Indian families is palpable, especially given the financial investment involved in U.S. education. Many are urging Indian missions in the U.S. to engage with American authorities to protect the interests of Indian students and ensure academic continuity is not compromised.

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