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 IndiansFunding Cuts and Visa Barriers Reduce UW–Madison Graduate Enrollments
Preliminary fall 2025 enrollment at UW–Madison is 51,550, with notable declines in graduate and international students due to federal research cuts and visa delays. Programs are trimming cohorts, using direct-admit…
Porter Airlines Launches Scholarships for Algonquin AMT Students
Starting September 26, 2025, Porter Airlines will fund a $25,000 annual scholarship and awards program for 10 second-year…
Australia’s $2,000 student visa fee triggers industry backlash, calls for cuts
Australia increased its student visa fee to AUD 2,000 (non-refundable) on July 1, 2025. The rise has coincided…
After the H-1B Fee Hike, Global Paths for Indian Students
A $100,000 H-1B one-time fee, effective September 21, 2025, is prompting Indian students and employers to explore study-to-work…
Advocates Say Texas Guidance on Undocumented Tuition Remains Murky
Judge Reed O’Connor blocked the Texas Dream Act on June 4, 2025, removing in-state tuition for most undocumented…
Indians Face Sharper Visa Curbs in UK and New Zealand in 2025
In 2025 the UK and New Zealand tightened visa routes for Indians, cutting work and family approvals sharply;…
Trump’s H-1B Overhaul Could Cripple the College-to-Career Pipeline
DHS proposes replacing the H-1B lottery with a wage-ranked selection across four bands, plus tighter specialty standards and…
Global Tech Talent Shifts: US H-1B Surcharge, UK Raises Visa Barriers
A $100,000 U.S. surcharge on abroad-filed H-1B petitions begins September 21, 2025, prompting firms to reconsider offshore hiring.…
Surprise FDNS Inspections Target F-1 OPT and STEM OPT Students
FDNS and ICE increased surprise inspections of F-1 students on OPT/STEM OPT, checking I-983s, employment proof, and SEVIS…
Is the Indian American Dream Transforming Under Immigration Hurdles
A proposed $100,000 H‑1B supplementary fee, possible OPT restrictions, and long green card backlogs threaten Indian students and…