New US Rule: Student Visa Holders Cannot Change Courses in First Year

• First-year F-1 students are restricted from changing majors or programs.
• No return allowed for study at the same or lower level after completion.
• Fixed a four-year stay with a shorter grace period and added paperwork.

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has suggested new regulations that could restrict the options available to international students holding F-1 visas.

According to the plan, first-year undergraduate students would be prohibited from switching programs, majors, or education levels in the first year of study.

A report from Fragomen indicates that the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) may grant exceptions solely in situations such as school closures or extended interruptions caused by natural disasters.

In addition, after a student completes a program at a specific level, they would no longer qualify to return under F-1 status for another program at the same or a lower level. The suggested regulation indicates that technical revisions to the SEVIS system are required to implement these alterations, and if execution is impracticable, DHS might postpone or halt them. visa permissions for immigrants, US Citizenship,

This limitation on student visas is a component of a larger overhaul aimed at modifying visa permissions for immigrants, encompassing international students. The updated framework would provide fixed durations of stay, up to four years for international students, along with a reduced grace period of 30 days.

Students requiring additional time would need to request an extension via US Citizenship and Immigration Services, involving extra paperwork and expenses.

Also Read: Trump Administration Plans Four-Year Cap on Foreign Students in US

With this new regulation, unlawful presence would commence as soon as the designated admission period concludes. This would heighten the likelihood of overstaying, since even minor delays might prompt re-entry bans of three or ten years.

The elimination of respect for previous approvals implies that even students with previously approved extensions may encounter more inquiries, extra paperwork, and potential rejections in the future. This introduces ambiguity to research schedules and heightens management difficulties.

If enforced, the regulation will result in increased paperwork, greater expenses, and potential delays for students and colleges. Educational institutions are anticipated to voice concerns during the 30-day public comment phase, as the modifications may impact the ability of the US higher education sector to attract and retain international students.