New US visa restrictions raise concerns for Bangladeshi students
The Trump administration has introduced sweeping changes to the U.S. student visa system, replacing long-standing flexible rules with stricter limits on the length of stay for international students.
Under the new policy announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), students holding F visas and exchange visitors on J visas will generally be allowed to remain in the United States for a maximum of four years. The post-graduation grace period to leave the country or change immigration status has also been reduced from 60 days to 30 days.
The new regulations will take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, following the required congressional review.
The policy also introduces new restrictions for other visa categories. General foreign journalists will be limited to visas valid for up to 240 days, while Chinese journalists will face a shorter validity period of 90 days.
Students who need additional time to complete their degrees will now be required to apply directly to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an extension. Applications will involve biometric screening, enhanced background investigations and additional security checks.
The Trump administration said the reforms are intended to reduce illegal immigration. Officials argued that the previous “duration of status” system, in place since 1978, allowed some individuals to remain in the country as “permanent students” for extended periods.
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the changes would strengthen national security and protect U.S. taxpayers.
The new rules are expected to create significant challenges for Bangladeshi students, particularly those enrolled in PhD and research programs that typically take longer than four years to complete. Students may also face greater administrative hurdles when seeking program extensions or changing academic institutions.
The shortened 30-day grace period after graduation is another major concern, giving graduates less time to secure employment or adjust their immigration status before being required to leave the country.
The policy has drawn criticism from U.S. universities and immigration attorneys, who argue that stricter requirements, additional fees and increased screening could discourage talented international students and weaken America’s position as a global leader in higher education and scientific research.
According to the report, the Trump administration canceled nearly 100,000 visas in June alone, including about 8,000 student visas.
