Changes in US study visa rules create panic among foreign students, know here how Indians will be affected

US Study Visa Changes: Students coming from all over the world including India to study in America are given F-1 visa, which is called study visa. Recently, the US government has changed the F-1 visa rules, due to which challenges have arisen for the students currently studying and those coming to study in the future. In the new rules, the time limit for students to spend outside America has been strictly fixed. Failure to meet deadlines may result in loss of study visa.
According to the new rule of the government, foreign students will not have to spend more than five consecutive months outside the country during their studies. This is a rule due to which the plans of foreign students ranging from internships to holidays are going to be affected. Due to the new rules, there is maximum concern among those students who have to go out of America as part of their course. It is going to be very difficult for foreign students to do research, internship, global education programs.

What is F-1 visa?

F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa, which is available to foreign students going to study in America. Historically, F-1 visa holders have been allowed to travel outside the United States for reasons such as vacation, a semester of study abroad, or an international internship, provided they do not exceed a certain period of time. However, the new rules have made it clear that foreign students cannot stay out of the country for more than five months without risking losing their study visa.

The new rules have increased the problems for those students who are studying programs in which international experience is necessary. The rule is also affecting optional internships or exchange programs, in which students go out for long periods. Universities will now need to make changes in their courses to adopt the new rules. Also, due to the new rule, students will now have to obtain a new Form I-20, which in itself is going to be expensive.

What will be the impact of the new rules on students?

Due to the updated visa rules, students now need to plan their studies and professional work carefully so that they do not exceed the time limit of more than five months outside the US. It has become important for those who have enrolled in global programs to avoid international learning experiences and if they have to do so, they should be a part of shorter programs, which do not involve staying outside the country for more than five months. Have to spend.

At the same time, students who are currently studying in America may have to change their planning due to the new rules. Especially the rules are going to affect those students who are already working on internships or research projects in another country. Students studying STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) may have to lose international research opportunities. They may also have to lose the specialized training they receive abroad.

What will be the impact on universities?

American universities will have to adjust their global programs to meet the new visa requirements. Many institutes are working on the issue of how to structure their courses, in which options like international internship-research can be reduced. Some universities are focusing on shorter study abroad programs or online courses to give students at least an exposure to American studies as well as a foreign education.

The biggest fear is that due to the new rules, admissions of students may reduce. Many foreign students take admission in America so that they can get global education along with their studies here. Universities will have to change all their courses, so that the low number of students admitted can be stopped.