Breaking News! Study in the United States earthquake! International students can only stay in the United States for 4 years?!

A reform that upended a 50-year convention

Under the old policy, there was no fixed departure date for international students as long as they remained full-time and maintained their normal academic progress. In an official statement, DHS said the "outdated 'status date' system undermines national security and creates a breeding ground for immigration fraud".

The four core changes of the new regulations:

1. 4-year residence limit:F visa students and J visa exchange visitors with a maximum stay of 4 years.

2. The extension must be applied to the Federal Government:More than 4 years requires a formal application to USCIS for an extension, subject to biometric information review, background checks and fraud screening.

3. Cut half of the graduation buffer period:The grace period for preparing for departure, transfer or change of status after graduation was shortened from 60 days to 30 days.

4. Change major/transfer more strictly:The new rules impose strict restrictions on international students changing their academic plans.

"Almost impossible task": strong opposition from the education community

As soon as the new rules came out, there was almost an uproar in the American higher education community.

Inside Higher Ed points out that almost all PhD programs are more than four years old, and many undergraduates also need more than four years to graduate. For doctoral students, it is almost impossible to complete their studies within 4 years. The new rules also affect OPT (Post Graduation Internship) students, who typically stay in the United States for more than four years.

NAFSA (Association of International Educators of America) CEO Fanta Aw issued a statement strongly condemning: "DHS's decision to end 'status maturities 'is a misguided and unnecessary policy shift that injects uncertainty, bureaucracy and fear into a system that has worked effectively for so long. At a time when the global competition for talent is intensifying, this policy sends the completely wrong message to the world's brightest students-the United States is becoming less friendly, less predictable, and less committed."

Zuzana Wootson, vice president of the Presidential Coalition on Higher Education and Immigration, said: "This action is unnecessary and duplicative. International students are already one of the most heavily monitored non-immigrant groups in the United States."

Special Impact on Chinese Students

According to the new rules, students already in the United States will be recalculated according to the new rules from the effective date. At present, there are more than 270000 Chinese students studying in the United States, and it is normal for them to have doctoral programs for more than four years, and they will bear the brunt of the impact.

What is more noteworthy is that the new regulations also tighten restrictions on Class I journalist visas: ordinary foreign journalists are limited to 240 days, while Chinese journalists are limited to 90 days.

For Chinese students planning to go to the United States or already in the United States:

Studying:Confirm the duration of your project as soon as possible. If it exceeds 4 years, you need to plan the extension application path in advance and be ready to undergo background checks and other audit procedures.

Planning to go to the United States:To re-evaluate the choice of study destination, doctoral applicants in particular need to carefully consider the contradiction between the 4-year time limit and the actual length of the program. British and American students with the application to make alternatives.

Continued attention: Subsequent implementation updates from the DHS website and the Federal Register.