The US government has reduced the permitted period of stay abroad for international students. Find out what changes expats can expect and how educational institutions have responded

The US immigration agency has approved new changes, according to which holders of F-1 visas, in order not to lose their student status in the country, can only participate in study programs abroad, the duration of which does not exceed five months. Previously, students were allowed to study abroad indefinitely as long as they remained enrolled at an American institution. What has changed? We tell.

The permitted duration of study abroad for F-1 visa holders has been changed

From now on, the duration of study abroad for F-1 visa holders should not exceed 5 months.

In general, the five-month absence rule has existed for a long time, but previously it was not applied to foreign students who study abroad while they are students at American universities. However, on August 27, 2024, the US administration implemented this restriction, and the changes took effect immediately. Such innovations significantly changed the lives of both students and educational institutions.

What will change for F-1 student visa holders?

Many US institutions offer study abroad programs that last more than five months. However, after the approved changes, international students holding F-1 visas can no longer take advantage of these great opportunities.

However, most education and student representatives hope the guidelines can be lifted and are calling for a grace period for students currently studying abroad to give them time to adjust their plans and ensure they don't lose their F-1 status.

The sudden nature of the changes will also affect students who are due to graduate this year and have already planned to participate in programs next semester.

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How will the approved restrictions affect universities?

These changes will significantly affect not only students, but also university curricula. In particular, Minerva University in San Francisco is calling for changes, because the institution's program is structured in such a way that undergraduate students spend their first year in the United States, and then go to study in Asia, Europe and South America, returning to San Francisco only in the fourth year. to graduate.

Last year and this year, students went to Berlin, Buenos Aires, Hyderabad, London, Seoul and Taipei. A rotation in Tokyo was planned for 2025.

Minerva's unique pedagogic approach, based on study abroad, has resulted in the World Ranking of Innovative Universities (WURI) naming it the most innovative university in the world for three consecutive years.

However, once the changes are approved, students on F-1 visas will no longer be able to participate in these programs.

According to the new rules, this category of students will have to stay in the US for an entire academic year before going again to study abroad, the duration of which should not exceed 5 months.

What is an F-1 visa?

F-1 visa (academic student) visa that allows you to enter the United States as a full-time student to study at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other educational institution in the United States, or language training program.

The innovations shocked representatives of educational institutions and students. They believe that the new policy hinders global educational partnerships and the diversity of international students in the US and hope that the changes will be reconsidered.

We will remind you! The USA is the country that receives the largest number of international students every year. We have already told you how to apply for admission to US universities, what are the deadlines, and how to avoid common mistakes when filling out forms.

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