Harvard University has advised international students and scholars to carefully consider their travel plans ahead of proposed changes to US immigration rules expected to affect F-1 and J-1 visa holders from September 15.
The university warned that international students who travel outside the United States around the implementation date could face different admission conditions when they return.
The proposed rules by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would replace the current “duration of status” system for many F-1 and J-1 visa holders with a fixed period of authorised stay.
Under the existing system, eligible international students can generally remain in the US throughout their academic programme as long as they maintain their immigration status and comply with the relevant requirements.
The proposed system could instead see students receive an “Admit Until Date” on their Form I-94, indicating the specific period they are authorised to remain in the country.
Harvard has urged students already in the US to consider the potential implications before making international travel arrangements around September 15.
Students who remain in the US and maintain valid immigration status when the new rules take effect could benefit from transition provisions. However, those who leave the country and return on or after the effective date could be admitted under the new fixed-date framework.
The proposed changes could also affect students who require additional time to complete their academic programmes. Such students may have to apply through a formal extension process rather than relying on the existing duration-of-status arrangement.
Other areas that could be affected include grace periods, changes in academic programmes, university transfers and other aspects of international students’ stay in the US.
The development could have significant implications for international students, including those from India, who frequently travel between the US and their home country during academic breaks.
Students planning overseas trips around the September 15 deadline have been advised to review their visa documents, Form I-20 or DS-2019 and I-94 records before travelling.
They have also been encouraged to consult their universities’ international student offices to determine whether their travel plans could affect their immigration status.
Students who expect to require additional time for their degree programmes, Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT may need to pay particular attention to the proposed extension requirements.
The proposed policy is currently facing legal challenges from organisations representing higher education and labour interests. However, until the courts or the US government make further changes, international students have been advised to monitor official announcements and seek guidance from their institutions before making travel decisions.
