New US visa curbs spark anxiety for Bangladeshi students

The US administration under Trump government has overhauled student visa system. This decision has ended decades-old flexible rules and introduces strict duration limits for international student wanting to study in the US.

The new regulations declared that students with ‘F’ visas and exchange visitors with ‘J’ visas will be capped at a maximum of four years. Moreover, the post-graduation grace period to leave the country or change courses has been reduced from 60 days to 30 days. 

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of the US has issued the new policy. After a congressional review, the policy will take effect 60 days after being published in the Federal Register. 

Key changes in the Visa Rules follow: Students & Exchange Visitors: Maximum visa duration is capped at four years. General Journalists: Visa validity is restricted to 240 days. Chinese Journalists: Visa limit is further reduced to just 90 days.

Moreover, students who require additional time to finish their degrees must apply directly to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Biometric testing, rigorous background checks and additional security checks will be faced by the applicants in order to extend their stay. 

The Trump administration justified the move as a step to curb illegal immigration. Officials stated that the old ‘duration of status’ rule, active since 1978, allowed many to remain ‘permanent students’ for decades. 

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the reform would eliminate security risks and protect US taxpayers’ money.

Meanwhile, this decision is expected to hit the Bangladeshi students hard as complications regarding many degrees may arise. Long-term PhDs and research programs which exceed four years are subjected to face intense bureaucratic scrutiny. 

Students are now unable to switch courses or institutes at the postgraduate level. The 30-day grace period leaves the graduates with very little time to secure employment before they are deported.  

However, US universities and immigration lawyers have strongly criticized the decision. They warned that high fees and strict screenings would drive away global talent, hurting America’s scientific and academic leadership.

In June alone, the Trump administration canceled nearly 100,000 visas, which included 8,000 student visas.

-SA