The Indian government is actively engaging with U.S. officials to tackle issues emerging from new visa regulations that may impact Indian students and academic visitors in the United States. On Friday, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s External Affairs Ministry, stated that New Delhi is keeping a close eye on the situation and will continue to address any challenges faced by Indian citizens by liaising with Washington.
The recent changes by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security introduce more stringent residency requirements for holders of F, J, and I category visas. These visas are typically used by international students, exchange visitors, and media professionals. Under the updated rules, these non-immigrant visa holders will have fixed periods of stay, moving away from the previous system that allowed for extended stays without ongoing federal supervision.
Additionally, the new guidelines shorten the grace period for F visa holders once they complete their studies. Instead of having 60 days, students will now have just 30 days to either leave the U.S., transfer to another educational institution, or alter their immigration status.
While recognizing that visa and immigration policies are matters of national sovereignty, Indian officials have reiterated their commitment to assisting Indian nationals in navigating these updated regulations. They aim to minimize any potential hardships caused by the changes to ensure the continued support of their citizens abroad.