Indian Students Face Sept 15 US Visa Deadline

The US Department of Homeland Security has implemented a new visa regulation, Ending Duration of Status, which imposes a fixed expiration date of September 15 for Indian students. This rule replaces the previous policy that allowed students to remain in the country as long as they maintained their academic status.

Under the new rule, Indian students are now limited to a maximum stay of four years, a reduction from the previous indefinite duration. The grace period after program completion has also been shortened, giving students less time to depart or transition to another visa category.

The deadline applies to all Indian students currently in the US on F-1 visas, regardless of their enrollment date. Students who fail to comply with the September 15 deadline may face visa revocation or deportation proceedings.

Universities and international student offices are scrambling to notify affected students and assist with visa extensions or transfers. Many students are seeking legal counsel to explore options such as applying for a different visa status or filing for an extension before the deadline.

The rule is part of a broader effort to tighten immigration controls and reduce overstays. Indian students, who constitute one of the largest international student groups in the US, are particularly impacted by this change.