The US has introduced fixed stay limits for student, exchange visitor and journalist visas, ending indefinite admission rules. The policy caps most F and J visas at four years, shortens post-study grace periods, and increases federal oversight, affecting thousands of Indian students
Indian student enrolment in US institutions has declined by 6.9 per cent in 2026, Parliament was informed. The government cited stricter visa scrutiny and compliance rules as factors affecting student mobility and visa approvals
The US has expanded social-media vetting for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants, requiring all profiles be public from December 15. The move tightens immigration scrutiny amid broader restrictions, including paused Green Card processing for 19 countries following a deadly shooting involving an Afghan national
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the recent tightening of the H-1B visa regime in the US is only a temporary setback, asserting that Indian tech professionals’ skill and cost advantage will keep them in global demand despite short-term policy disruptions
