InternationalFriday, 17 July 2026·The Hindu - International
U.S. visa rule change for F, J and I categories: 4-year cap, 30-day exit window, 2024-25 India data
The U.S. has fixed new admission limits for F, J and I nonimmigrant visas, affecting Indian students and journalists.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In July 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a final rule fixing admission periods for F, J and I nonimmigrant visas, with F and J stays capped at 4 years and the post-study departure/change-status window reduced from 60 days to 30 days.
Key specifics
- F visas are for students, J visas for exchange visitors, and I visas for journalists.
- F and J visa holders will be admitted for the length of their programme, but not beyond 4 years.
- The post-graduation grace period for F visa holders has been cut from 60 days to 30 days.
- I visas for media members will be capped at 240 days, and at 90 days for Chinese nationals.
- According to Open Doors 2025, 363,019 students from India were enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities in 2024-25, about 31% of all international students there.
Exam lens
Question type: international relations and visa policy, F-J-I categories, 4-year cap, 30-day rule, 240-day media visa limit, 363,019 Indian students in 2024-25. TNPSC may ask which visa category is linked to students, exchange visitors and journalists.