US plans fixed-term student visas: 5 things Indian students must know

For decades, the American student visa system has been anchored in a simple premise: Once admitted into a university programme, international students could legally stay in the country for the “duration of status.” This arrangement allowed them to focus on academics without the looming fear of visas expiring mid-course.

That certainty may soon disappear. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is pushing forward a proposal to replace this long-standing model with fixed-term student visas . Instead of linking stay to academic enrolment, students would be bound by a strict time cap, forced to renew visas even before finishing their degrees. The move has cleared White House review and is expected to enter public consultation, a development that could reshape the experience of more than 4.2 lakh Indian students currently in the US.


The end of open-ended stay
Currently, Indian students on F-1 visas can stay for the entire length of their degree, even if it extends beyond the standard timeline. The proposed system would impose a strict expiry date on visas, meaning students may need to renew mid-course if their programme runs longer.


What it means for research and PhDs
Doctoral students and those in research-heavy fields stand to be most affected. Delays caused by thesis extensions, lab work, or unforeseen circumstances could force students into urgent visa renewals, disrupting studies and adding financial pressure.


A policy with history
This is not the first time such a change has been proposed. In 2020, the Trump administration pushed for fixed-term visas with two- or four-year limits, but the idea was shelved after backlash. Its return signals Washington’s renewed focus on tighter visa scrutiny.


The road ahead

The draft rule cleared White House review on June 27 and will soon be published in the Federal Register. Once released, a 30–60 day public comment period will follow, during which universities, students, and advocacy groups can raise concerns before finalisation.


What Indian students should do now
While the rule is not yet final, students should prepare by:

• Monitoring updates from DHS and US consulates.
• Factoring renewal costs and timelines into financial planning.

• Seeking academic advice to anticipate delays in long programmes.
• Participating in the public comment process to make their voices heard.
  

The bigger picture

For Indian students, this proposal is more than a bureaucratic change; it raises questions about the US’s long-term commitment to global talent. Whether the country remains a preferred destination may depend on how flexible or rigid the final policy turns out to be.