The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reviving a Trump-era proposal to eliminate the current "duration of status" system. Under the current system, students can stay in the U.S. as long as they maintain full-time enrollment in approved programs. The new proposal would instead impose fixed-period visas (likely 24 years), after which students would need to apply for an extension to continue their studies

This is a great idea. A student visa doesn't mean you will stay here for a long time and does not mean you will work here.

Once these students finish, they need to go back to their own countries.

US plans time limit on student visas; likely to hit plans of Indians
https://www.indiatoday.in/world/us-news/story/us-donald-trump-indian-student-visa-f1-j1-duration-change-fix-2025-bill-department-of-homeland-security-2749380-2025-07-02

Quote:

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In yet another crackdown on immigration in the US, the Donald Trump administration may cut the stay time of international students in the US. Enforcing a time limit on F-1 and J-1 visas will impact the plans of students from India.

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Indian students form the largest cohort in the US, and each year, lakhs of Indians plan to move there. (Image for representation: Getty)

Quote:

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In Short

• Trump reintroduces bill to limit student visa stays, impacting F-1, J-1 holders
• The rule affects overseas students, exchange visitors, and foreign media reps
• Proposal may disrupt 3.3 lakh Indian students; aims to deter immigration

---

Quote:

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The Donald Trump administration is now pushing to impose a fixed duration for student visas, replacing the current flexible system. Seen as yet another tough move to curb immigration, the change is expected to significantly impact Indian students on F-1 and J-1 visas.

The rule was initially proposed during the President's first term in 2020.

The change, proposed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), would affect overseas students, exchange visitors, and representatives of foreign media.

Currently, international students holding F-1 visas and exchange visitors on J-1 visas are granted "duration of status", allowing them to remain in the US as long as they maintain full-time enrolment or participation in their designated programme.

Notably, exchange visitors include students, professors, scholars, specialists, trainees, teachers, interns, au pairs, and physicians, among others.

The proposed rule has reportedly been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. Following this, the rule will be published in the Federal Register. Typically, a 30-or 60-day public comment period follows before finalisation, which may take months. However, the rule could reportedly be issued as an interim final rule also, taking effect immediately without public input.

Under current regulations, F-1 and J-1 visa holders are not assigned a specific departure date upon admission, allowing them to stay in the US as long as they remain engaged in the activities for which their visa was issued, such as full-time study or program participation.
More details of the proposal are awaited.

The proposal was reportedly opposed by higher education groups, who said it would cause needless disruption to academic programs, reported Bloomberg.

With over 3.3 lakh students, Indians were the largest cohort of international students in the US, and the proposal may adversely affect them.

Notably, the US Embassy in India had also issued a warning to foreigners on May 14 about the serious consequences of staying in the United States beyond the allowed time on their visa.
The embassy had posted on X, saying, "If you remain in the United States beyond your authorised period of stay, you could be deported and could face a permanent ban on travelling to the United States in the future."

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infinity ag said:

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The new proposal would instead impose fixed-period visas (likely 24 years), after which students would need to apply for an extension to continue their studies

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If it takes these people over 24 years to complete their studies, I think there are bigger problems.

I thought I took the scenic route to a 6 year degree. 24 years is like 4 credit hours per year.

That's really cracking down!

When I was working on a MS, we had a guy who had been working on a PhD for ten years. We jokingly called him Grad Student Emeritus. Coursework on his degree plan was beginning to expire and he eventually quit.

Bottom line is that it should not have gotten that far. His advisor should have been making sure there was progress. Sadly, that prof was promoted to department head about 15 years later.

Gandalf the Maroon said:

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infinity ag said:

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The new proposal would instead impose fixed-period visas (likely 24 years), after which students would need to apply for an extension to continue their studies

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If it takes these people over 24 years to complete their studies, I think there are bigger problems.

---

When I was at A&M, there was a Chinese dude who was doing his 6th degree. He has Masters and PhDs in Electrical Engg and Computer Science. He was doing the PhD in CS when I met him. Had kids looked 40+ and I was early 20s.

That's longer than it should be, even someone taking it slow through the entire process to become a medical doctor wouldn't be near that long. Someone going all the way through undergrad, a Masters and then taking forever to finish their PhD dissertation wouldn't take that long.

Wait - that wasn't supposed to say 2-4 years and TexAgs code ripped out the special character like it likes to do sometimes?

Per the article - I'm concerned about how many lakhs of Indians are on student visas.

I hope it doesn't become crores of Indian students.

HollywoodBQ said:

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Per the article - I'm concerned about how many lakhs of Indians are on student visas.

I hope it doesn't become crores of Indian students.

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From what I gather, all a large large percentage of middle class parents send their kids to the US now. It isn't just the brilliant ones or the hard working ones. It is everyone.

We are importing the dunderheads along with the geniuses. 99% of stupid, 1% of genius.

infinity ag said:

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Gandalf the Maroon said:

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infinity ag said:

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The new proposal would instead impose fixed-period visas (likely 24 years), after which students would need to apply for an extension to continue their studies

---

If it takes these people over 24 years to complete their studies, I think there are bigger problems.

---

When I was at A&M, there was a Chinese dude who was doing his 6th degree. He has Masters and PhDs in Electrical Engg and Computer Science. He was doing the PhD in CS when I met him. Had kids looked 40+ and I was early 20s.

---

That dude wasn't a student. That was a Chicom spy

a ton of the Chinese "students" are spies and CCP intel agents designed to create havoc in the USA

a ton of the Muslim "students" are sent here to create havoc in the USA

Neat. Next time limit congress

valvemonkey91 said:

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infinity ag said:

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Gandalf the Maroon said:

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infinity ag said:

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The new proposal would instead impose fixed-period visas (likely 24 years), after which students would need to apply for an extension to continue their studies

---

If it takes these people over 24 years to complete their studies, I think there are bigger problems.

---

When I was at A&M, there was a Chinese dude who was doing his 6th degree. He has Masters and PhDs in Electrical Engg and Computer Science. He was doing the PhD in CS when I met him. Had kids looked 40+ and I was early 20s.

---

That dude wasn't a student. That was a Chicom spy

---

You may be right. Hadn't thought about that.
He had a wife and kids in CS also.

Any major trade negotiations going on with India these days?

Burdizzo said:

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When I was working on a MS, we had a guy who had been working on a PhD for ten years. We jokingly called him Grad Student Emeritus. Coursework on his degree plan was beginning to expire and he eventually quit.

Bottom line is that it should not have gotten that far. His advisor should have been making sure there was progress. Sadly, that prof was promoted to department head about 15 years later.

---

Most of the PhD programs I've seen have a maximum time limit on them - if you don't have your PhD within say 10 years, you're done and not voluntarily.

I think I saw upwards of 700k Indians have overstayed their visas

Definitely seems to be a typo, someplace along the chain. Likely 2-4 years:

per Grok:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is proposing a rule to replace the current "duration of status" policy for international students on F-1 and J-1 visas with a fixed period of stay, likely set at a maximum of 2 to 4 years, depending on the program or country of origin. This would require students to apply for extensions to continue their studies beyond this period. The exact time limits are not yet finalized, as the rule is under review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and will be clarified upon publication in the Federal Register. A similar proposal from 2020 suggested a 4-year maximum for most students, with a 2-year limit for those from countries with high visa overstay rates (exceeding 10%), such as Afghanistan, Nigeria, and others.For further details, you can follow updates on the Federal Register or check the DHS website for the official publication of the proposed rule: https://www.federalregister.gov or https://www.dhs.gov.[]

Gandalf the Maroon said:

---

infinity ag said:

---

The new proposal would instead impose fixed-period visas (likely 24 years), after which students would need to apply for an extension to continue their studies

---

If it takes these people over 24 years to complete their studies, I think there are bigger problems.

---

infinity ag said:

---

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reviving a Trump-era proposal to eliminate the current "duration of status" system. Under the current system, students can stay in the U.S. as long as they maintain full-time enrollment in approved programs. The new proposal would instead impose fixed-period visas (likely 24 years), after which students would need to apply for an extension to continue their studies

This is a great idea. A student visa doesn't mean you will stay here for a long time and does not mean you will work here.

Once these students finish, they need to go back to their own countries.

US plans time limit on student visas; likely to hit plans of Indians
https://www.indiatoday.in/world/us-news/story/us-donald-trump-indian-student-visa-f1-j1-duration-change-fix-2025-bill-department-of-homeland-security-2749380-2025-07-02

Quote:

---

In yet another crackdown on immigration in the US, the Donald Trump administration may cut the stay time of international students in the US. Enforcing a time limit on F-1 and J-1 visas will impact the plans of students from India.

---

Indian students form the largest cohort in the US, and each year, lakhs of Indians plan to move there. (Image for representation: Getty)

Quote:

---

In Short

• Trump reintroduces bill to limit student visa stays, impacting F-1, J-1 holders
• The rule affects overseas students, exchange visitors, and foreign media reps
• Proposal may disrupt 3.3 lakh Indian students; aims to deter immigration

---

Quote:

---

The Donald Trump administration is now pushing to impose a fixed duration for student visas, replacing the current flexible system. Seen as yet another tough move to curb immigration, the change is expected to significantly impact Indian students on F-1 and J-1 visas.

The rule was initially proposed during the President's first term in 2020.

The change, proposed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), would affect overseas students, exchange visitors, and representatives of foreign media.

Currently, international students holding F-1 visas and exchange visitors on J-1 visas are granted "duration of status", allowing them to remain in the US as long as they maintain full-time enrolment or participation in their designated programme.

Notably, exchange visitors include students, professors, scholars, specialists, trainees, teachers, interns, au pairs, and physicians, among others.

The proposed rule has reportedly been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. Following this, the rule will be published in the Federal Register. Typically, a 30-or 60-day public comment period follows before finalisation, which may take months. However, the rule could reportedly be issued as an interim final rule also, taking effect immediately without public input.

Under current regulations, F-1 and J-1 visa holders are not assigned a specific departure date upon admission, allowing them to stay in the US as long as they remain engaged in the activities for which their visa was issued, such as full-time study or program participation.
More details of the proposal are awaited.

The proposal was reportedly opposed by higher education groups, who said it would cause needless disruption to academic programs, reported Bloomberg.

With over 3.3 lakh students, Indians were the largest cohort of international students in the US, and the proposal may adversely affect them.

Notably, the US Embassy in India had also issued a warning to foreigners on May 14 about the serious consequences of staying in the United States beyond the allowed time on their visa.
The embassy had posted on X, saying, "If you remain in the United States beyond your authorised period of stay, you could be deported and could face a permanent ban on travelling to the United States in the future."

---

---

No. 24 years is incredibly too long.

Student visa applicants should prove that the degree studied will be useful in their country of origin.

Student visas should be issued for 5 years (undergrad) or 3 years (masters or doctorate) with a single 1 year extension if proven needed due to severe medical event and applied for before end date of student visa. Degree progress should be submitted every year and the student visa may be withdrawn if the degree progress is not satisfactory.

Student visa holders should not be able to buy real estate nor receive medicaid or medicare nor any other welfare or public assistance (local, state, or national).

Those accepting a student visa should not be allowed to enroll in sensitive degree plans (AI development, nuke engineering, etc) or at universities with substantial military ties.

A student visa holder should not be allowed to receive permission to stay in the US by marrying a US citizen until he has returned to his home country for 5 years and successfully completes the marriage visa process. A student visa holder will not be allowed to apply for any US visa for 5 years after returning to his home country.

A student visa holder should provide all social media accounts for review during the application process, extension process, and at any time when requested by law enforcement (city, county, state, national).

A student visa should be immediately withdrawn and the person holding the visa should be deported immediately if he is found guilty of any crime beyond rolling stop signs, speeding (<20 over limit), or failure to use a turn signal correctly.

A student visas should be immediately withdrawn and the person holding the visa should be deported immediately if he is charged with any crime involving harming a child, any sex crime, any theft or vandalism beyond $200s, any animal abuse, any wildlife or habitat destruction, any violent crime (assault, robbery, attempted murder or murder), or participating in or instigating any riot or committing acts against the US.

Any person holding a student visa found guilty of committing or attempting to commit espionage or sabotage or spying against the US should be executed.

Yes. I've had time and reason to think about stuff like this.

(Geeze, I need to proofread before hitting 'save'.)

ME92 said:

---

infinity ag said:

---

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reviving a Trump-era proposal to eliminate the current "duration of status" system. Under the current system, students can stay in the U.S. as long as they maintain full-time enrollment in approved programs. The new proposal would instead impose fixed-period visas (likely 24 years), after which students would need to apply for an extension to continue their studies

This is a great idea. A student visa doesn't mean you will stay here for a long time and does not mean you will work here.

Once these students finish, they need to go back to their own countries.

US plans time limit on student visas; likely to hit plans of Indians
https://www.indiatoday.in/world/us-news/story/us-donald-trump-indian-student-visa-f1-j1-duration-change-fix-2025-bill-department-of-homeland-security-2749380-2025-07-02

Quote:

---

In yet another crackdown on immigration in the US, the Donald Trump administration may cut the stay time of international students in the US. Enforcing a time limit on F-1 and J-1 visas will impact the plans of students from India.

---

Indian students form the largest cohort in the US, and each year, lakhs of Indians plan to move there. (Image for representation: Getty)

Quote:

---

In Short

• Trump reintroduces bill to limit student visa stays, impacting F-1, J-1 holders
• The rule affects overseas students, exchange visitors, and foreign media reps
• Proposal may disrupt 3.3 lakh Indian students; aims to deter immigration

---

Quote:

---

The Donald Trump administration is now pushing to impose a fixed duration for student visas, replacing the current flexible system. Seen as yet another tough move to curb immigration, the change is expected to significantly impact Indian students on F-1 and J-1 visas.

The rule was initially proposed during the President's first term in 2020.

The change, proposed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), would affect overseas students, exchange visitors, and representatives of foreign media.

Currently, international students holding F-1 visas and exchange visitors on J-1 visas are granted "duration of status", allowing them to remain in the US as long as they maintain full-time enrolment or participation in their designated programme.

Notably, exchange visitors include students, professors, scholars, specialists, trainees, teachers, interns, au pairs, and physicians, among others.

The proposed rule has reportedly been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. Following this, the rule will be published in the Federal Register. Typically, a 30-or 60-day public comment period follows before finalisation, which may take months. However, the rule could reportedly be issued as an interim final rule also, taking effect immediately without public input.

Under current regulations, F-1 and J-1 visa holders are not assigned a specific departure date upon admission, allowing them to stay in the US as long as they remain engaged in the activities for which their visa was issued, such as full-time study or program participation.
More details of the proposal are awaited.

The proposal was reportedly opposed by higher education groups, who said it would cause needless disruption to academic programs, reported Bloomberg.

With over 3.3 lakh students, Indians were the largest cohort of international students in the US, and the proposal may adversely affect them.

Notably, the US Embassy in India had also issued a warning to foreigners on May 14 about the serious consequences of staying in the United States beyond the allowed time on their visa.
The embassy had posted on X, saying, "If you remain in the United States beyond your authorised period of stay, you could be deported and could face a permanent ban on travelling to the United States in the future."

---

---

No. 24 years is incredibly too long.

Student visa applicants should prove that the degree studied will be useful in their country of origin.

Student visas should be issued for 5 years (undergrad) or 3 years (masters or doctorate) with a single 1 year extension if proven needed due to severe medical event and applied for before end date of student visa. Degree progress should be submitted every year and the student visa may be withdrawn if the degree progress is not satisfactory.

Student visa holders should not be able to buy real estate nor receive medicaid or medicare nor any other welfare or public assistance (local, state, or national).

Those accepting a student visa should not be allowed to enroll in sensitive degree plans (AI development, nuke engineering, etc) or at universities with substantial military ties.

A student visa holder should not be allowed to receive permission to stay in the US by marrying a US citizen until he has returned to his home country for 5 years and successfully completes the marriage visa process. A student visa holder will not be allowed to apply for any US visa for 5 years after returning to his home country.

A student visa holder should provide all social media accounts for review during the application process, extension process, and at any time when requested by law enforcement (city, county, state, national).

A student visa should be immediately withdrawn and the person holding the visa should be deported immediately if he is found guilty of any crime beyond rolling stop signs, speeding (<20 over limit), or failure to use a turn signal correctly.

A student visas should be immediately withdrawn and the person holding the visa should be deported immediately if he is charged with any crime involving harming a child, any sex crime, any theft or vandalism beyond $200s, any animal abuse, any wildlife or habitat destruction, any violent crime (assault, robbery, attempted murder or murder), or participating in or instigating any riot or committing acts against the US.

Any person holding a student visa found guilty of committing or attempting to commit espionage or sabotage or spying against the US should be executed.

Yes. I've had time and reason to think about stuff like this.

(Geeze, I need to proofread before hitting 'save'.)

---

Appreciate your efforts. Thank you!

24 years?

24 years or 24 months? I would hope the latter

Burdizzo said:

---

When I was working on a MS, we had a guy who had been working on a PhD for ten years. We jokingly called him Grad Student Emeritus. Coursework on his degree plan was beginning to expire and he eventually quit.

Bottom line is that it should not have gotten that far. His advisor should have been making sure there was progress. Sadly, that prof was promoted to department head about 15 years later.

---

This was true at my graduate school. The fellow's wife had a good job in the area and he was just using grad school as a regular job. He was his advisor's only student and his advisor was RIPed. (retired in place).