India is actively engaging with US officials to mitigate potential issues stemming from newly revised American visa rules that might impact Indian students and academic visitors. At a press briefing on Friday, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s External Affairs Ministry, emphasized that New Delhi is vigilantly tracking these developments and will continue to address any difficulties encountered by Indian nationals with Washington.
The revisions from the US Department of Homeland Security introduce more stringent residency requirements for F, J, and I visa holders, categories that encompass international students, exchange visitors, and media professionals. Under these updated regulations, non-immigrant visa holders in these classifications will now face fixed durations of stay, a shift from the previous system allowing for extended stays in the United States without ongoing federal oversight.
Significantly, the modifications also shorten the grace period for F visa holders upon the completion of their studies. Students must now exit the country, transfer to another educational institution, or alter their immigration status within 30 days, compared to the earlier 60-day allowance.
Indian authorities have underscored that while visa and immigration policies are matters of national sovereignty, they remain dedicated to supporting Indian citizens in navigating these changes and in alleviating any challenges resulting from the new regulations.