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
Why Ending OPT Could Outweigh the H-1B Fee in U.S. Tech
A $100,000 fee now applies to new H-1B petitions filed from outside the U.S., but exemptions for OPT-to-H-1B transitions keep the main early-career tech hiring pipeline intact. Analysts warn that…
U.S. H-1B Surcharge Pushes Indian Tech Talent Toward Alternatives
Starting September 21, 2025, a $100,000 surcharge will apply to new H-1B petitions filed abroad for 12 months,…
Grassley Demands End to OPT for F-1 Students Amid Tensions
Sen. Grassley urged DHS to end OPT work authorizations for F-1 students, threatening 12–36 month post-study work rights.…
New $100,000 H-1B Fee Sparks Travel Caution for Indian Students on OPT
A new $100,000 fee applies to certain H-1B petitions for workers abroad starting September 21, 2025, for 12…
Canada 2025: Fewer visas and higher living costs reshape plans
In 2025 Canada tightens immigration: permanent resident targets fall to 395,000, provinces cut nominee slots, and students face…
CA, NY, MA Most Vulnerable to International Enrollment Decline
Brookings finds California, New York, and Massachusetts most exposed to declines in international student enrollment. International students added…
Austria Opens Permanent Residency Path for Indians Under EU Daueraufenthalt
The Daueraufenthalt-EU lets non‑EU nationals who meet integration, income, housing, health insurance, and B1 German requirements obtain a…
Dignity Act and HIRE Act: Higher FICA for OPT Wages
Congress is reviewing the Dignity Act, ending FICA exemptions for OPT students, and the HIRE Act, adding a…
Court Upholds PGWP Denial for Non-Final Semester Part-Time Status
A court affirmed IRCC’s PGWP refusal after a student studied part-time in a non-final semester, confirming only the…
What US Citizens Educated in India Should Know About Benefits
Children born in India to a U.S. citizen keep U.S. citizenship if the parent met physical presence rules.…