American varsities urge international students to return to US before new immigration rules come into effect

WASHINGTON: Several major US universities have urged international students to return to the United States before September 15, when new federal immigration rules are scheduled to take effect.

Under the new rules, international students can remain in the US as long as they maintain their academic status, with a fixed period of admission for holders of F (academic students), J (exchange visitors) and I (foreign media and journalists) category visas.

Universities, including Harvard, Columbia, Ohio State University, Georgetown, George Washington (GW) and the University of Chicago, warned international students that the changes could affect the terms under which F-1 and J-1 students were admitted and allowed to remain in the country.

Those planning international travel around the September 15 deadline were also advised to reconsider their plans. Universities said returning before that date could help students avoid being admitted under the new fixed-period system.

Harvard’s International Office specifically advised F-1 and J-1 students and scholars to plan their travel so that they were physically present in the US by September 15.

Columbia University set an even earlier target, asking international students to return by September 8 to allow sufficient time for the transition.

Georgetown’s Office of Global Services (OGS) issued targeted warning letters to students, scholars and alumni.

George Washington University’s International Services Office (ISO) advised students to check their records through the university’s portal on or shortly after September 15 to track their new, explicit programme-end dates.

The University of Chicago’s Office of International Affairs held urgent informational webinars to explain the rule’s strict limitations on academic mobility and the shortened 30-day grace period.

The new rule

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule, scheduled to take effect on September 15, replaced the long-standing “duration of status,” or D/S system with fixed periods of admission for many international students and exchange visitors.

Under the existing system, eligible F-1 students are generally admitted for the “duration of status,” allowing them to remain in the US while they pursue their approved programme and maintain their immigration status.

Under the new system, students entering or re-entering the US will generally receive an “Admit Until Date” on their Form I-94 — an official entry document issued by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) when a foreign national enters the US — and their authorised stay will normally be tied to the length of their programme, subject to a maximum initial admission period of four years.

The change could have significant consequences for students enrolled in programmes that routinely take longer than four years, including some doctoral, medical and other professional programmes. Students who need additional time may have to apply for an extension of stay through US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

For students already in the US, the transition rules are less disruptive.

Students who are physically present in the country on September 15 and are maintaining their F-1 or J-1 status will generally be covered by transition provisions and will not immediately have to obtain a new admission period simply because the rule takes effect.

The situation changes, however, for students who leave the US and return after September 15. They could be admitted under the new fixed-date system and receive a specific end date for their authorised stay.

Therefore, universities are urging students to complete international travel before the deadline.

The Ohio State University warned students that the new system could affect the length of their authorised stay and their ability to complete their academic programmes without seeking an extension. It advised students to review their individual circumstances and consult the university’s international office before travelling.

San José State University also highlighted the potential disruption for international students.

Another important change concerns the grace period after completion of an F-1 programme. Under the new rules, students will generally have 30 days, rather than the current 60 days, to remain in the US after completing their programme.

The rules may also affect students who change educational programmes or institutions, transfer schools or require additional time to complete their studies. Students planning to use post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT should therefore pay particular attention to the new requirements and seek advice from their university before making travel or academic decisions.

The new policy has been challenged in the federal court. A coalition of higher-education organisations and labour groups filed a lawsuit seeking to block the rule and asked the court for a preliminary injunction.

But unless a court blocks or delays implementation, universities are advising students to plan on the assumption that the September 15 deadline will remain in force.

If international students are outside the US and intend to return for the fall semester, universities are urging them to return before September 15. They should check their passport, visa, Form I-20 or DS-2019 and I-94 before travelling and contact their university’s international student office if they expect to need additional time to complete their programme.