US DHS Regulation Tightens Stay for International Students, Restricts Course Flexibility: Major Impact for Indian Students

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has proposed new regulations that could radically change the experience of international students in American universities. The plan would substitute the existing duration of status (D/S) system with specific admission durations of F-1 (students), J-1 (exchange visitors), and I (foreign media) visas. The changes have brought about serious concerns on the part of educators and students, particularly the Indian students.

Fixed stay 

Instead of being admitted for an entire duration of an academic program,international students would be entitled to up to four years. In the case of English-language programmes, the stay would be no longer than 24 months; in the case of public high-school students, no more than 12 months. J-1 visitors might remain for up to four years meanwhile I- visa visitors would be restricted to 240 days in total, and Chinese journalists to 90 days.

Extension Requirement To Study More

To study further than the predetermined restriction would mean re-applying to USCIS, submission of new documents, biometric information, and possibly subject to greater scrutiny. The inability to submit extensions in a timely manner may attract the unlawful presence, which leads to the imposition of 3- or 10-year re-entry bans.

Loss of Academic Flexibility 

Limitations of Switching Programme or Major: First year undergraduate F-1 students in the first year are not allowed to switch majors or university unless in exceptional circumstances. Students would not be able to switch programmes altogether at the graduate level. Once having completed a degree, students could not immediately start a new programme, either at the same or at a lower level, under the same visa, which would bar, e.g., a person from having two bachelors degrees in the U.S.

Impact on Career Shifts: The experts claim that the rules overlook practical academic and career realities, like retraining to change careers or developing new skills, which prevail in rapidly developing sectors such as technology and the creative industries.

Tighter monitoring and “virtual checkpoints” 

More paper work and more difficult work pathways. There will be an increase in the number of forms that students and post-doctoral researchers will have to file in the course of their studies. Opponents refer to these extra requirements as virtual checkpoints.

The new rules could interrupt work opportunities for students on Optional Practical Training (OPT). Extensions will become more difficult to get, and delays will leave students with no legal work authorization even with valid permits.

How are People Reaction to This?

• U.S. immigration lawyers and university associations claim that this proposal will introduce more bureaucracy to an already highly scrutinised student population by SEVIS.
• Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA, warns that the changes will create a “sea of administrative delays” and could push talented international students to choose other countries over the U.S.
• Indian students, over 330,000 in the U.S., nearly a third of all international students, face greater uncertainty and financial and career obstacles if the changes take effect.

Next Steps and Legal Challenges

On August 28, 2025, the regulation will be published in the Federal Register and will have a 30-day period of public comment. Education administrators and law observers presume that, should the rule be adopted, strong resistance and even legal battles are probable.

This restructuring, which will check so-called visa abuse, may negatively impact the capacity of the U.S. to receive the best world talent because the biggest group, besides China, are Indian applicants who are closely watching the developments and making informed decisions in the current era.