F-1 Visa Rule Change: International Students May Be Blocked from Changing Courses in First Year

The United States has proposed stricter visa rules for international students, including new limits on changing academic programmes and a fixed period of stay under the F-1 visa.

The draft regulation, introduced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), would prevent F-1 visa holders from switching courses, majors, or academic levels during their first year of study. Exceptions may be granted in limited cases, such as institutional closures or natural disasters, but would require approval from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

Under the proposal, students would also be barred from returning to the US on an F-1 visa to begin a second programme at the same or a lower level of education. This would restrict those seeking additional qualifications or academic re-entry after completing an initial degree.

Another key change involves replacing the current “duration of status” model with a fixed four-year stay. Students would be required to leave the country within 30 days after completing their studies, unless they apply for an extension through US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Extensions would no longer be presumed based on prior approvals, and all requests would be subject to renewed scrutiny.

The rule would also alter how unlawful presence is calculated. If a student remains in the US beyond the authorised period without approval, they would immediately begin accruing unlawful presence, potentially triggering re-entry bans of three or ten years, depending on the length of the overstay.

To support enforcement, technical updates to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) are expected. These changes are aimed at enhancing compliance monitoring and strengthening immigration oversight. The proposal is currently open for public comment and has not yet been finalised.