International students in the US are grappling with new visa regulations that introduce stricter requirements and potential disruptions to their academic journeys. These changes particularly affect those who plan to alter their study programs or pursue advanced degrees, leading to heightened anxiety and complex preparations.

Kim Ngoc, a second-year student in the US, plans to pursue a master's degree. She is closely monitoring information about the new student visa regulations and busy preparing her application and contingency plans. "The policy was issued quite rapidly and is less flexible than before, which makes me feel a bit pressured. I feel I need to be more cautious with everything related to my visa and application," Ngoc stated.

Effective 15/9, regulations from the US Department of Homeland Security limit F-1 and J-1 international students to a four-year stay. If they need to remain longer, they must apply directly to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an extension. Additionally, these students face restrictions on changing their major.

On online forums, many Vietnamese international students and parents are confused about how the new regulations will apply to them. Many other international students share similar concerns. "If I leave the US and then return, for example, to attend a conference, what will happen to me?" worried Max Lu, a doctoral candidate at Harvard University's Graduate School of Education.

Experts believe the new regulations will lead to additional procedures, costs, and time for international students, along with increased pressure due to higher risks.

A view of the Carnegie Mellon University campus in the US. *Photo: University Fanpage*

Extending a stay was previously a minor task a university's international student office could handle, according to Nguyen Ngoc Khuong, a study abroad consultant in the US. However, international students will now have to independently complete an application for extension of status (EOS), which a government agency will then evaluate.

Students wishing to change their academic level must complete two tasks simultaneously: update their profile on the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), obtain a new I-20 certificate of eligibility, and submit an EOS application. Similarly, international students staying for optional practical training (OPT) after graduation must undergo a "dual process" – applying for an EOS concurrently with an employment authorization document (EAD), according to Nhung Do, a representative from VnTalent study abroad center. To avoid expiration, they need to submit their applications two to three months before graduation.

Application fees range from 420 to 470 USD. If USCIS requires fingerprints, applicants must pay an additional 85 USD, according to Grape Law. Khuong noted that this policy is unprecedented, making it difficult for even lawyers or USCIS staff to predict the complexity and duration of the process.

However, international students currently in the US are largely unaffected, as the regulation applies from 15/9. For instance, a second-year university student would need to apply for an extension in 2030, but by then, they would have already graduated. More specifically, Dang Huu Phuoc, a representative from Edu4Life center, stated that this group can remain normally until the program end date on their I-20 or the expiration date on their EAD (whichever is later), provided it is not more than four years from the policy's effective date.

The most significantly affected groups are students who change their initial study plans (such as applying for a master's visa but then switching to a community college, or extending their English language studies), doctoral candidates, and university students whose programs exceed four years. Doctoral candidates typically require 5-7 years to complete their programs, according to 2024 data from the US National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics. The BBC noted that the research process, publishing results, and challenges like funding shortages or personal circumstances often cause them to take longer than anticipated.

On NPR, the president of Vanderbilt University stated that the new regulations would put nearly all international doctoral candidates at the university at risk of academic disruption. This group also faces disadvantages if they are prohibited from changing majors, their advising professor leaves or transfers, research funding ends, or laboratories close, according to Phuoc.

For undergraduate programs, students may need extensions for various reasons, such as health issues, failing courses, or taking a gap year mid-program. Additionally, some programs exceed four years, like Co-op programs (combining academic study with practical work experience). According to the Education Data Initiative, last year over 20% of students took more than four years to graduate.

Khuong explained that under the new regulations, international students may be granted extensions for compelling academic reasons. Students in Co-op or integrated programs need not worry excessively, as their reasons are legitimate, but other cases are less predictable. "Students planning to come to the US must study diligently and avoid failing courses or encountering other problems, as it will be difficult to convince authorities," he advised.

Additionally, Nhung advised international students to clearly define their goals and major, and to quickly seek internship opportunities and build professional networks from their first semesters. Those planning to change their academic level should contact their international student office or a reputable consulting agency to complete procedures on time. Students graduating this year should utilize the transition period to be exempt from applying for an EOS when submitting their OPT application.

Phuoc also recommended that international students review their I-94 (arrival/departure record) to understand their status and plan for extension applications as their permitted stay approaches its end. Many universities are currently updating information on their websites for students. Some plan to hold campus-wide meetings at the start of the semester to address concerns, including Carnegie Mellon University, University of California-Riverside, and Bentley University.

By Khanh Linh