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
Study Demand Drops: US Enquiries Fall 46%, Canada Permits 48%
Demand for study in the U.S. and Canada fell sharply in 2024–2025: U.S. enquiries dropped 46%, Canada issued 48% fewer permits, and institutions are shifting recruitment toward career-focused programs.
Beyond H-1B: Diversifying U.S. Career Paths for Indian Students
Facing tougher H-1B odds, Indian students are relying on OPT and STEM OPT as core strategies, supplemented by…
H-1B $100K Fee Spurs OPT-Driven Bypass to Hire Foreign Talent
A $100,000 annual fee on new H-1B petitions starts September 21, 2025; employers increasingly favor OPT—no cap, no…
Austria Attracts Indian Students to 2-Year STEM Master Programs
Austria is recruiting 300+ Indian students for two-year STEM master’s at TU Wien, TU Graz and TU Leoben…
American Tech Workforce Act: End OPT and H-1B Lottery
The American Tech Workforce Act would eliminate OPT, raise H-1B salary floors to around $110,000 (potentially higher), and…
OPT Under Fire: Lawmakers Move to Eliminate Post-Study Work
OPT and the STEM OPT extension remain active but face possible termination through legislation and tighter oversight. In…
19-Country Visa Ban Costs Universities Billions as Fall Enrollment Plunges
A June 2025 directive suspends new F-1, J-1, and M-1 visas for citizens of 19 countries, causing projected…
U.S. Proposes Fixed Admission Periods for F-1, J-1, I Visas
DHS’s 2025 proposal would replace Duration of Status with fixed admission periods: F-1/J-1 up to four years and…
5.3 Million Short by 2032, Confidence in College Falls
By 2032 the U.S. may lack 5.3 million postsecondary-educated workers, including 4.5 million bachelor’s-level roles. Shortages concentrate in…
Bahrain Student Visa for Indian Students: Fees, Eligibility, Documents
In 2025 Bahrain maintains clear, stable student visa rules for Indian students: use the visa within three months,…