The Trump administration has announced new visa regulations that will tighten requirements for international students studying in the United States. Under the new policy, which takes effect in September, most foreign students will be limited to a maximum stay of four years unless they receive federal approval to extend their studies. The rules also restrict students’ ability to transfer between institutions or switch academic programmes, powers that were previously handled by universities and colleges.
The Department of Homeland Security said the measures are aimed at preventing visa abuse and strengthening national security through more frequent oversight and vetting. The policy also reduces the grace period after graduation from 60 days to 30 days, requiring students to either leave the country or secure a different visa status within that timeframe.
The changes have drawn criticism from education groups, including NAFSA: Association of International Educators, which described the rules as unnecessary and likely to create uncertainty for students and institutions. Critics argue that the four-year limit could particularly affect graduate students and researchers, whose programmes often take longer to complete. The new regulations form part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to tighten immigration policies and reduce the number of foreign students in the United States.