New restrictions on student visas limit how long international students can stay and study in the US, affecting hundreds of thousands currently in the country.
The Trump administration has implemented new restrictions on student visas that limit how long foreign students can remain in the United States to pursue their studies. The policy caps student visa duration at four years, a significant departure from the previous system where students could extend their stays based on their program length and individual circumstances.
This affects hundreds of thousands of international students currently on F-1 visas, particularly those in graduate programs that typically run longer than four years. Doctoral candidates, medical residents, and others in extended programs will now face hard limits on their authorized stay, regardless of program requirements.
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Student visas are now capped at four years, regardless of program length.
If you're a current student on an F-1 visa, review your program timeline with your school's international student office immediately. If your program exceeds four years, you'll need to understand your options: some students may be able to change status, seek Optional Practical Training (OPT) extensions, or plan to leave and return. New applicants should factor this four-year cap into their decision-making. The rule is already in effect, so don't assume your previous understanding of student visa duration still applies.
Source: original report ↗
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