The US administration has revived a proposal to limit the terms of student visas, a move that could significantly impact international students studying in the country. Under the proposed rule change, student visas would no longer operate under the current “duration of status” system, which allows students to stay in the US for the duration of their academic programs. Instead, fixed-term limits would be introduced, setting a maximum length for F-1 visas at four years, with some students potentially limited to just two years.
This recent development harkens back to a similar proposal put forth during the first Trump administration in 2020. At that time, the plan was to restrict F-1 visas to the length of the intended program of study, with extensions requiring additional visa applications. The 2020 proposal also included a provision for certain students, such as those from countries with high visa overstay rates or enrolled in Intensive English-language Programs, to be limited to a two-year visa term.
The 2020 proposal faced criticism within the US higher education sector, with concerns raised about the arbitrary nature of the proposed timelines and the potential negative impact on international students considering studying in the US. Miriam Feldblum, from the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, highlighted the uncertainty and barriers the rule could create for international students, questioning the attractiveness of the US as a study destination.
Ultimately, the 2020 proposal was withdrawn by the Department of Homeland Security under the Biden administration in June 2021. However, the recent notice from the current administration indicates a renewed interest in revisiting the issue of fixed-term limits for student visas.
NAFSA, a professional association for international education, has commented on the new proposal, noting that it is still at the proposed rule stage and subject to public feedback and review processes before becoming finalized. The association has expressed concerns about the potential impact of the rule on international students and the broader message it sends about the US’s stance on welcoming talent and diversity.
Esther Brimmer, the former CEO of NAFSA, urged the Department of Homeland Security to reconsider the proposed rule, emphasizing the uncertainty it could create for international students and exchange visitors. She highlighted the potential challenges in administering student and exchange visitor programs under a fixed-term limit system and the broader implications for the perception of the US as a global education destination.
As the debate over fixed-term limits for student visas continues, stakeholders in the international education sector are closely monitoring the developments and potential implications of the proposed rule change. The outcome of this proposal could have far-reaching consequences for international students seeking to study in the US and the institutions that welcome them.
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