“I definitely see a drop in postgraduate students applying to America,” Mumbai-based education consultant Viral Doshi said. Doshi’s concers are not out of the blue, who also added that he could see a decline of around 20-25% in postgraduate applications.
Such worries have triggered from the fact that the United States has long been one of the most sought-after destinations for Indian students, but a major change to its student visa framework could force applicants to rethink what they expect from an American education.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced a final rule ending the decades-old “Duration of Status” (D/S) framework for F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors and I nonimmigrants, including representatives of foreign information media.
Under the new system, international students will no longer be admitted under an open-ended duration of status. Instead, they will generally be admitted for a fixed period, with the authorised stay generally tied to the end date of their academic programme or approved Optional Practical Training (OPT), subject to the applicable limits. Students who need additional time may have to apply to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an extension of stay.
The education consultant sought to caution postgraduate applicants, particularly those who are borrowing heavily or relying on the possibility of securing employment in the US after completing their studies.
Why postgraduate students need to think twice
Doshi points out that postgraduate students spend close to $80,000 a year for two years on their education, often using loans or other forms of financial support. For such students, the possibility of completing a degree and then struggling to secure employment or a work visa can significantly change the calculation.
“Whoever is going to America for postgraduate studies, you will have to think twice, the return on investment, not the experience,” he says.
At the same time, he does not believe other destinations will easily fill the gap if fewer Indian students choose the US.
The UK and Europe could see an increase in applications, he said, while Canada may also benefit to some extent. However, each destination has its own challenges, ranging from limited financial aid and employment opportunities to visa restrictions and difficulties adapting to a new language or job market.
Undergraduate students may see less impact
However, Doshi expects the impact to be less pronounced among Indian students applying for undergraduate programmes as many undergraduate students choose US primarily for the four-year educational and campus experience rather than solely as a route to permanent settlement.
Moreover, undergraduate applicants from financially well-off families may be less concerned about the return on investment compared with postgraduate students.
However, there has already been a noticeable shift in the visa experience for undergraduate applicants this year.
“For the first time I’ve seen more than 30% of students haven’t even got a US visa for undergraduate studies. They’re not getting appointments at all right now,” Doshi said.
Some students have been unable to secure F-1 visa interview appointments and have had to ask their universities to defer their start dates to January.
“That’s a very big change I’ve seen from previous years,” he said.
What exactly has changed under the new rule?
For decades, international students in the US were generally admitted under the “Duration of Status” system. This allowed eligible F-1 students to remain in the country while maintaining their status and complying with the conditions of their programme.
The new framework moves away from that system and introduces a more defined period of authorised stay.
Under the changes:
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International students will generally be admitted for a fixed period rather than under D/S.
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The authorised stay will generally be tied to the programme end date listed on the student’s Form I-20 or the validity of approved OPT, subject to applicable limits.
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Students who need additional time to complete their programmes may need to apply to USCIS for an extension.
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Students already in the US under the previous D/S system will also transition to the new framework.
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The post-study departure period for F-1 students is reduced from 60 days to 30 days for new and future admissions, although specific transition rules apply to students already in the US when the rule takes effect.
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The rule also places tighter restrictions on academic programme changes, including moving to a lower level of education or pursuing another degree at the same level in certain circumstances.
The new rule is scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026.
“Ph.D. students and those pursuing research-intensive or other programs that typically exceed four years are likely to be among the most affected,” immigration attorney Gnanamookan Senthurjothi told The Free Press Journal.
‘Education does not always follow a perfect timeline’
For international students already navigating the US education system, the possibility of having to seek government approval for an extension is an impending nightmare.
Sukainah Shaikh, a Psychology (BS) junior at the University of Colorado Denver, said, “Honestly, I think this rule could make many international students feel anxious and constantly scrutinised.”
She said international students already have to balance academics, finances, immigration requirements and the challenges of living away from home.
“A fixed end date may make students feel that one unexpected delay could threaten the education and future they have worked so hard to build,” she said.
“Universities understand a student’s academic progress and personal situation, while USCIS may only see paperwork and deadlines,” she said raising concerns about shifting the extension process from universities to USCIS.
According to her, delays can happen for several reasons, including unavailable classes, longer research timelines, illness, financial hardship or family emergencies.
“Education does not always follow a perfect timeline,” said Sukainah.
Will the shorter grace period create more pressure?
The new rule also reduces the F-1 post-study grace period from 60 days to 30 days for new and future admissions.
“Honestly, 60 days, 30 days is not a big issue because whoever gets a job, gets a job before they graduate,” Doshi said.
In his view, the larger issue is whether international graduates can secure employment and obtain the necessary work authorisation after investing heavily in their education.
On the contrary, Sukainah believes the reduction could create additional pressure for international graduates.
She said the shorter period could push some graduates into making rushed decisions and could potentially increase their vulnerability to poor working conditions, scams, financial problems and housing instability.
What should Indian students do now?
Immigration attorney Senthurjothi advised students to be more careful about maintaining their immigration status and monitoring their authorised stay.
His recommendations include:
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Maintaining full-time enrolment and complying with SEVIS requirements.
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Carefully monitoring the expiration date on the Form I-94.
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Applying for an extension well before the authorised stay expires if additional time is required.
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Keeping academic, medical and other relevant documentation that may support an extension request.
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Staying in regular contact with the university’s Designated School Official (DSO).
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Planning their academic pathway carefully, particularly before changing programmes or pursuing another degree.
Senthurjothi also clarified that the rule does not eliminate existing benefits such as CPT (Curricular Practical Training) or OPT (Optional Practical Training).
Will students stop choosing the US?
The answer, according to Doshi, is more complicated than a simple yes or no.
He expects a decline in postgraduate applications but does not believe the US will lose its position as a major destination overnight.
The bigger shift, he believes, will be in students’ expectations.
“The old story that you go to America, you study out there, you get a good job, you work for three years, get your green card, you settle down out there, get a citizenship, that all is going to change now,” Doshi said.
For postgraduate applicants, he reckons the decision will increasingly come down to whether the cost of studying in the US can be justified without relying on the assumption of securing a job and staying there permanently.
His advice is blunt: students should consider going to the US for the education and experience, but should be prepared for the possibility of returning to India.
For Shaikh, however, students should not let the new rules prevent them from making the most of their time in the US.
She advised prospective international students to build strong relationships with academic advisers, professors and peers, and to learn about opportunities such as CPT, OPT, scholarships, internships and campus resources early.
Bottom line for Indian students
The end of the “Duration of Status” system does not mean international students can no longer study or work in the US under existing programmes and benefits. However, it does introduce a more structured approach to authorised stays and could require students to pay closer attention to their immigration timelines.