America’s new student visa rules will increase the financial burden and administrative difficulties on international students. Now they will get a visa for a fixed period of time and will have to apply directly to USCIS for extension. The grace period after OPT has also been reduced from 60 to 30 days.
new york [अमेरिका]July 18 (ANI): The US government’s recent changes in student visa rules are set to increase both the financial burden and administrative hurdles for international students, including from India. Additionally, they will have to secure jobs and employer sponsorships much more quickly than before. Danielle Goldman, co-founder and CEO of Build Talent Labs, said this in an exclusive interview with ANI.
Financial burden and administrative difficulties will increase
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently published a rule that eliminates the long-standing “duration of status” framework for F, J, and I visa holders. Under the new policy, F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors will be admitted for a fixed period of time instead of being allowed to remain in the US for the duration of their academic program. Students needing additional time must now apply directly to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an extension.
Under this rule, the grace period after Optional Practical Training (OPT) has been reduced from 60 days to 30 days and the use of Day 1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for students pursuing a second degree at the same academic level has also been restricted.
Speaking to ANI, Goldman said that these changes will significantly increase the costs for international students. “It’s forcing international students to pay an additional US$300 to US$500 in filing fees, plus another US$1,900 in premium processing if they want a response before five months. So it’s creating more financial pressure for students and clearly the US government is saying we believe there’s money to be made here and we’re going to enforce it,” he said.
According to Goldman, the new system means students can no longer rely on universities to process extensions through the SEVIS system and instead must go through a lengthy USCIS approval process, requiring them to plan their careers much earlier.
Challenges in career planning and talent retention
He said students, especially those pursuing careers in technology and artificial intelligence, will need to secure job offers and employer sponsorship several months before graduation to avoid losing status under the short grace period.
Goldman also said the ban on Day 1 CPT programs would eliminate a commonly used backup option for many international graduates who fail to secure H-1B visas through the annual lottery, making it more difficult for companies to retain foreign talent. Calling the move a “money grab”, Goldman said the new process places additional financial pressure on international students by shifting visa extension approval from educational institutions to the federal immigration system.
What options do students have now?
Despite the strict regulations, Goldman said students still have many options for pursuing careers in the United States if they prepare early. He advised international students to begin discussions with potential employers well before graduation and develop multiple contingency plans.
These include securing cap-exempt H-1B sponsorship through qualified organizations, spending a year outside the US to qualify for an L-1 intra-company transfer visa, or building eligibility for an O-1 visa for individuals with exceptional ability.
He said, “Students will need to proactively approach companies and say, here are my three options if I don’t win the lottery. Option A, I can work part-time for a cap-exempt organization like Build Fellowship, and you can also sponsor me full-time for a cap-exempt H1B. Option two, I’m willing to move out of the US for a year and you can make sure we do it.” Structured so that I am eligible for L1 when I return. Option C, I am going to spend the next year building my O1 case. After the OPT is over, I am ready to do my O1.”
‘It is important to be proactive in changing rules’
He also said that students looking for more flexibility may consider obtaining O-1 visa sponsorship through an authorized agent rather than relying solely on an employer, giving them more control over their immigration status. “Immigration to this country is not going to end, but it is going to get harder,” Goldman told ANI, adding that international students will need to be far more proactive in planning their education, employment and immigration strategies under the new regime. (ANI)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianetnews Editorial staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)