Several leading US universities, including Harvard, Columbia, Georgetown, George Washington University and the University of Chicago, are urging their international students to be back on US soil before September 15, when sweeping new federal immigration rules come into force.
The new policy replaces the long-standing “duration of status” system with a fixed admission period for holders of F, J and I category visas, covering academic students, exchange visitors and foreign media personnel. Instead of being allowed to stay for as long as their program lasts, students entering or re-entering the US after September 15 will typically be given a specific “Admit Until Date,” with an initial admission period capped at four years, a change that could hit doctoral, medical and other longer degree programs hardest.
Harvard has told its F-1 and J-1 students and scholars to be physically present in the US by September 15, while Columbia has recommended an even earlier return date of September 8 to give students a buffer before the transition. Georgetown has sent targeted alerts to affected students, scholars and alumni, and George Washington University has asked students to verify their immigration records through its portal once the new rules take effect. The University of Chicago has held urgent webinars to walk students through the changes, including new restrictions on academic mobility and a shorter post-study grace period.
Students already in the US on September 15 and maintaining valid F-1 or J-1 status will generally fall under transition provisions and won’t immediately face a new admission period, but leaving and re-entering the country afterward could place them under the new fixed-period system. Another significant change is the shortening of the post-study grace period for F-1 students from 60 days to 30 days, which could complicate plans for students who transfer institutions, switch programs, or intend to use Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT.
The rule is currently being challenged in federal court, but unless it is blocked, universities are advising students to prepare for it to take effect as scheduled. International students currently outside the US who plan to return for the fall semester are being urged to travel before the deadline and to double-check their passports, visas, Form I-20 or DS-2019, and I-94 records ahead of the trip.
Source: ProPakistani