Students
International student visa news covering F-1 regulations, SEVIS requirements, university enrollment policies, and post-graduation work options. Includes OPT, CPT, and STEM extension updates.
Top questions about Students
Answers from VisaVerge guidesHow should international students plan for potential shifts in immigration status?
Students should have a plan for two paths: stay in the United States or leave quickly to preserve option value and minimize irreversible commitments.
Read: How Fixed Immigration Periods Shape International Students' Investment FlexibilityHow has visa issuance for international students changed in early 2025?
Visa issuance for students fell more than 30% in early 2025 as enforcement and scrutiny increased.
Read: Hardening U.S. Social Climate Forces International Students to Reconsider U.S. UniversitiesWhat options are available to international students facing these visa changes?
International students can either withdraw their offers and receive a refund or defer their offers.
Read: Why Australian Universities Urgently Tell International Students to Back Out Now!What are some challenges faced by Indian and Chinese students applying for F-1 visas as of early 2025?
Both countries face appointment backlogs, interview freezes, and extra vetting procedures, leading to delays and increased risks in visa approvals as of early 2025.
Read: China and India Account for 60% of U.S. F-1 Visa Decline in 2025What potential changes could impact student visas for Indian immigrants under Project 2025?
Project 2025 proposes restrictions on student visas, which could disrupt the pathway to permanent residency for many skilled Indian students at U.S. universities.
Read: Trump Administration's Plans May Deepen Green Card Waits for Indians
Rising U.S. Visa Fees Push International Students Toward Delays
A $250 nonrefundable Visa Integrity Fee enacted under the BBB Act will apply to F-1, M-1, and J-1 visas, increasing upfront costs alongside SEVIS I-901 and visa fees. Combined with…
U.S. Shutdown 2025: Trump’s Threats, Visa Delays, and Student Impacts
A partial shutdown began October 1, 2025, after missed appropriations. Trump’s threats raise chances of a prolonged stoppage,…
DePaul’s 30% Drop Triggers Budget Cuts Across U.S. Colleges
DePaul cut spending after a 30% fall in international enrollment and a near‑62% drop in new international graduate…
White House Compact Sets 15% Cap on International Undergrad Enrollments
The White House’s 10-point compact ties federal funding to conditions including a 15% cap on international undergraduates. DOJ…
H-1B Cap Reform: Three-Year Recount Ends University Exemptions
S.2567 (Visa Cap Enforcement Act) would end most H-1B cap exemptions and require nearly all petitions to enter…
Two-Day Termination: Kaajal Tekwani’s Harrowing German Internship Crisis
Indian intern Kaajal Tekwani was fired after two days in Munich, leaving her financially and emotionally strained. The…
Trump Claims $500 Million Harvard Deal; Harvard Denies Negotiations
Claims of a $500 million settlement between the Trump administration and Harvard remain unverified as of October 1,…
New $250 Visa Integrity Fee Starts Oct 1, 2025 for Non-Immigrant Visas
From October 1, 2025, most non-immigrant visa applicants from non-VWP countries must pay a $250 Visa Integrity Fee…
Project Firewall: How Trump’s Enforcement Push Reshapes H-1B Outcomes
Project Firewall (Sept 19, 2025) intensifies DOL H-1B enforcement for 12 months with surprise audits, Secretary-certified probes, interagency…
Indians Face Heightened Scrutiny as Twin Shield Signals Visa Reform
Operation Twin Shield (Sept 19–28, 2025) targeted visa fraud in the Twin Cities: 1,000+ cases reviewed, 900+ site…