Trump administration tightens visa rules for foreign students - BBC

The Trump administration has issued final notice of stricter rules for foreign students, barring them from staying in the US longer than four years without federal permission, with the policy taking effect in September.
The changes end the long-standing "duration of status" arrangement for F-1 and J-1 visa holders, who could previously remain in the US as long as it took to complete their degrees, and also restrict switching programmes or transferring between institutions.
The Department of Homeland Security said the measures combat "rampant visa abuse" and strengthen national security through regular vetting, with Secretary Markwayne Mullin arguing some students had "perpetually" enrolled in courses to avoid leaving.
Critics note the rules could disproportionately affect graduate students, especially in science and technology fields, since doctorates and research-heavy programmes commonly exceed four years due to funding shortfalls and personal circumstances.
The post-graduation grace period to leave the country or change visa category will be cut from 60 days to 30 days under the new policy.
NAFSA: Association of International Educators called the rules "misguided and unnecessary," with chief executive Fanta Aw describing them as injecting "uncertainty, bureaucracy, and fear" into an effective system and calling it "a solution in search of a problem."
The measures form part of a wider push to reduce foreign student numbers, including efforts to cap enrollment at elite colleges and revoke visas of students critical of US foreign policy.