The University is awaiting a decision on whether the federal government will reduce the duration of F-1 and J-1 student visas. In a statement published to the Office of International Students’ website Aug. 29, the University wrote that the proposed new duration is not unusual for other United States visa classifications. The University also expects that those who maintain a good academic footing will have little trouble requesting an extension of stay. 

On Aug. 27, the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement declared a potential update to F-1 and J-1 student visa statuses, capping their residence in the U.S. to the end date on their I-20 or DS-2019 form, respectively. 

Other proposed changes include restrictions on transferring to another school and changing majors or programs within the first year of study, as well as cutting the existing residence grace period from 60 to 30 days after completing one’s studies. 

This opposes the current rule, which allows these international students to remain in the country as long as their immigrant status is upheld. As key stakeholders and national organizations debate the amendment, some students are grappling with the potential consequences. 

For Cesca Siy, a F-1 status freshman majoring in accounting from the Philippines, one concern over this possible enactment is the prospect of job uncertainty due to sponsorship competition. Students who wish to work in a specialty occupation after receiving a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent may receive an H1-B visa granting them a longer stay. However, these visas must be licensed through one’s prospective employer. 

“When you’re in America, you make connections in America. So everyone would expect you to work in America, but companies, especially smaller ones … don’t have enough money to sponsor international kids, so you kind of have to aim for the top big four companies, and that’s scary because they’re the only ones that are willing to sponsor you. It’s very competitive,” Siy said.  

Minh Le, a F-1 status sophomore majoring in theater from Vietnam, also said securing a job will be difficult. 

“We already knew that F-1 [students] cannot stay longer than around six months after our graduation, but for my major, it’s just harder for me to get a job because we need to have a green card,” Le said. 

Even so, Le said there are programs in place to allow international students to work after their program of study ends. According to a DHS webpage on Optional Practical Training, the program allows F-1 students to obtain work experience in their field of study once approved by the USCIS. 

Depending on the discipline, students may receive, at maximum, a 12-month stay after graduating through post-OPT. Each progressively higher degree grants a 12-month extension. For STEM students, an extra 12-month extension may apply for a total of 24 additional months. 

Another option for international students is obtaining an O-1 visa for individuals demonstrating exemplary ability or achievement, which grants a maximum of three extra years. However, doing so requires demonstration of “sustained national or international acclaim,” among more discipline-specific eligibility rules.  

Beyond the proposed change in duration of status, any F-1 undergraduate student would also not be able to switch majors or programs within the first academic year of their program; graduate students would be barred from changing their program of study completely. 

Harley Chen, a F-1 status junior majoring in cinema and media studies from China, said the freedom to change her major at will was a large part of why she decided to attend college in the U.S.

“When I was applying, I was in the exploring stage. I want[ed] to have more possibilities. But if this [ability to switch] is not happening anymore, I might as well have gone to Hong Kong because it’s closer to my home, and [the people there] are not that unwelcoming,” Chen said.

Siy also says that the benefit of being able to switch majors is unique among many U.S. schools. According to her, schools in the United Kingdom are more restrictive when it comes to deciding one’s major. 

Even so, Siy contends that the restriction for undergraduate students only applies for a year; afterward, undergraduate students can make the change. Le, on the other hand, considers this first year to be a crucial component in determining one’s career path. 

“I usually try things out [during my first year],” Le said. “Luckily, I didn’t change my major, but I do see a lot of my friends changing it right away during their first semester. So [this change] limits our chances to try things.”  

According to the University’s profile of incoming students from Fall 2024, roughly a quarter were international students. As such, any changes to visa regulations are likely to impact a broad swath of students. 

“I know international students have not been too welcomed, and I am surprised that [the change in F1 visas] is actually about to happen. It’s not official yet, but I think the fact that people have been talking about this [is enough],” Chen said. “I am surprised, and kind of sad, and kind of worried about my future.”