US Ends D/S Regime, Tightens Rules for US Stay
New immigration rules require extensions for studies exceeding four years
Hyderabad: The United States government has approved a major change to its immigration rules that will affect international students, exchange visitors and foreign media representatives. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has cleared a final regulation submitted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), paving the way for the removal of the Duration of Status (D/S) system.
Under the current D/S system, holders of F-1 student visas, J-1 exchange visitor visas and certain other visa categories can remain in the United States for as long as they continue to meet the conditions of their programme, such as studying full-time or participating in an approved exchange programme. There is no fixed end date on their immigration record.
Under the new rules, international students and exchange visitors will instead be granted a fixed period of stay. The authorised stay will generally match the length of their academic or exchange programme, but it will not exceed four years.
Those who need more time to complete their studies or research will have to apply to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an extension and pay additional fees. Previously, many such extensions could be approved directly through educational institutions.
The regulation also introduces several other changes. The grace period for F-1 students after completing their studies will be reduced from 60 days to 30 days. English-language training students will be limited to a maximum stay of 24 months.
Undergraduate students will face restrictions on changing majors or transferring institutions during their first academic year, while graduate students may face even stricter limits on programme changes and transfers. In addition, students who complete a degree may not be allowed to begin another programme at the same or a lower educational level while remaining in F-1 status.
USCIS has previously stated that thousands of students take advantage of the laws and stay in the United States for prolonged periods of time. They said that students jump from one course to another after completing their previous course, so that they can continue to stay in the US.
The rules are set to be published in the Federal Register within the next week. Once published, the new regulation is expected to come into force after a 60-day implementation period.