India is actively engaging with American officials to mitigate potential issues stemming from recent changes to U.S. visa regulations that could impact Indian students and academic visitors. At a media briefing on Friday, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Indian External Affairs Ministry, stated that the Indian government is keeping a close eye on the developments and intends to address any challenges faced by Indian nationals with the U.S. authorities.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has introduced amendments that tighten residency criteria for F, J, and I visa holders, affecting international students, exchange visitors, and media professionals. These modifications implement fixed durations for non-immigrant visa holders in these categories, departing from the previous system that permitted extended stays in the United States without ongoing federal oversight.
Among the changes is a reduced grace period for F visa holders who have completed their studies. Previously, these students had 60 days to either leave the U.S., transfer to another academic institution, or adjust their immigration status. The new rules now limit this timeframe to 30 days.
Indian authorities have highlighted that while visa and immigration policies are the prerogative of sovereign nations, they are committed to assisting Indian citizens in navigating these new regulations. They aim to minimize any inconvenience that may arise due to the updated U.S. policies.