India is actively engaging with U.S. officials to tackle concerns stemming from the recent changes to American visa rules, which could impact Indian students and academic visitors. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted during a media briefing on Friday that India is keeping a close watch on the situation and intends to address any challenges faced by its citizens with Washington.
The new regulations, introduced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, enforce stricter residency requirements for F, J, and I category visa holders, affecting international students, exchange visitors, and media professionals. The revised policy replaces the previous system, which allowed many non-immigrant visa holders to stay in the U.S. for extended durations without ongoing federal scrutiny, with fixed periods of stay.
One of the significant changes involves the reduction of the grace period for F visa holders after they complete their studies. Previously, students had 60 days to leave the U.S., transfer to another institution, or alter their immigration status; this period is now reduced to 30 days.
Indian authorities have underscored that visa and immigration policies are inherently sovereign issues. Nonetheless, they have reaffirmed their dedication to assisting Indian nationals and mitigating any difficulties arising from the newly implemented rules.