The US could impose new restrictions on international students

The Trump Govt. is expected to publish a new restriction on international students this month. The new rule would require international students to get approval at each stage of their education in the United States.

The new restriction, as per Forbes, would limit the stay of international students in the US.

What is the new rule?

According to the rule, there would be a “maximum period of authorized stay” for international students. International students would need to get permission for every transition in their plans.

If the academic career of a student is taking longer than earlier presumed, they would need to go through the same process as those going from undergraduate to graduate programs.

All international students holding F1, F2, M1 and M2 Visas would be affected by the new regulation.

What is the US Government’s reasoning behind the new proposed rule?

The Dept. of Homeland Security says that the new rule will help bring down incidences of student overstaying their Visas. Hence, it will further enhance the integrity of the non-immigrant Student Visa of the US.

Which countries are most international students from?

Nearly half of all international students in the US are from India and China. Nearly 363,341 international students in the US are from China and 196,271 are from India.

What is the difference between F1 and M1 Visa?

Both F1 and M1 Visa are for students. The F1 Visa is for students pursuing a full-time academic program at a USCIS approved educational institution in the US. Dependents of F1 Visa holders get the F2 Visa.

International students enrolled in vocational programs like cosmetology, language programs or mechanical studies get the M1 Visa. Dependents of M1 Visa holders get the M2 Visa. The M1 Visa typically has a validity of 1 year but may be extended for up to 3 years.

What is the regulation currently?

Currently, international students can stay in the US as long as their visa is valid. This means that as long as they are enrolled in a study program, and maintain their non-immigrant status, they can stay in the US.

The Institute for International Education with the US State Dept. publishes the Open Doors Report every year. The latest report released in November 2019 showed there were 1,095,299 international students enrolled in the US for the 2018-19 school year. International students accounted for 5.5% of all 19,828,000 students enrolled in higher education in the US.

As per the Open Doors Report, there was an increase of 0.05% in international student enrolments in 2019 compared to 2018. However, there was a 0.9% decrease in new international student enrollments in the US.

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest or Migrate to the USA, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company.

If you found this blog engaging, you may also like…

The US H1B process needs to be streamlined: Business Execs