The US Department of Homeland Security has submitted a proposed rule to replace the current "duration of status" policy for international students with fixed-term visas. This change would significantly impact Indian students, who constitute the largest international student cohort in America.

Currently, students can remain in the US while maintaining full-time enrollment. Under the proposed rule, they would receive visas with fixed expiration dates and must apply for extensions periodically, creating additional delays, costs, and uncertainty.

Immigration experts warn this could trigger unlawful presence accumulation and potential re-entry bars. The Trump administration previously attempted similar changes in 2020, which Biden withdrew in 2021. Student overstay rates remain low at just 3.6% in 2023.