A change to foreign student visa policies being discussed at the United States Department of Homeland Security would require international students to reapply annually for permission to stay in the United States, according to the Washington Post.

The change being discussed would attach an end date to a student’s study programme. Under current federal regulations, a foreign student’s immigration status is valid as long as he or she is enrolled in college or university and follows the rules. Students can transfer from one educational institution to another and many remain in the country for years without having to reapply, the Post said.

The proposal also would require students to reapply for permission to stay in the United States if they move from one programme to another, such as from undergraduate to graduate school. Foreign students who need more time to complete their studies could also be required to apply for an extension.

Foreign students pay a one-time fee of about $200, but that could change if the proposal moves forward, the Post reported.

The Post noted that the idea, far from being a done deal, would require regulatory changes, which could take at least 18 months.

Citing two unnamed Department of Homeland Security or DHS officials, the Post said the proposal was prompted by concerns that current federal regulations for student visas are too open-ended.

A DHS report released last month found that students were among those most likely to overstay their visa. An estimated 2.8 per cent of the more than 1.4 million student and exchange visa holders in 2016 overstayed their visas, more than double the national average for visitors.

DHS spokesman David Lapan confirmed to the Post that the agency “is exploring a variety of measures that would ensure that our immigration programmes — including programmes for international students studying in the United States — operate in a manner that promotes the national interest, enhances national security and public safety and ensures the integrity of our immigration system”.

The change, if implemented, could be expensive for universities and would likely dissuade more foreign students from studying in the United States.
Source: Worlduniversity news.com

Bh

Hmmmm, not bad sha

SELFmade7:
Hmmmm, not bad sha

wetin you talk?

cc: justwise, lagoismyhome

Joan011:
wetin you talk?

Wetin you see

I guess he is doing everything he campaigned for.

I guess he's fulfilling his campaign promises.