Indian Students Face Sept 15 US Visa Deadline

The US Department of Homeland Security has implemented the Ending Duration of Status rule, which imposes a fixed maximum stay of four years for Indian students on F-1 visas. This replaces the previous policy that allowed students to remain in the country as long as they maintained full-time enrollment and made progress toward their degree.

Under the new rule, all Indian students must obtain a fresh visa by September 15, 2025, regardless of when their current visa was issued. Those who fail to meet the deadline will be required to depart the United States immediately, even if they are mid-program or have not completed their studies.

The rule also shortens the grace period after graduation from 60 days to 30 days, giving students less time to transition to work visas or other immigration statuses. This change is expected to affect thousands of Indian nationals, who constitute the second-largest group of international students in the US, with over 200,000 enrolled in the 2023-24 academic year.

University international student offices are advising students to check their visa expiration dates and schedule appointments at US embassies or consulates as soon as possible. Some institutions have reported longer wait times for visa interviews in India, prompting calls for students to act quickly to avoid disruption to their studies.

The new policy is part of a broader effort by the US government to tighten oversight of student visa programs and ensure compliance with immigration laws. Critics argue that the fixed duration may penalize students in lengthy doctoral programs, who often require more than four years to complete their research and dissertation.