It’s over for international researchers in the US: Experts ask how PhD students will finish their course in 4 years
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The new 4-year policy for F-1 students that the Donald Trump administration finalized on Thursday led to major confusion among academics as experts questioned how PhD students are supposed to complete their course in four years. International students from now on will have a four-year visa validity. They will have to seek an extension for their visa from the State Department and the USCIS will grant the extension after another round of screening, background checks, fraud reviews etc.Andreas Karch, a professor at the University of Texas-Austin, said it’ impossible to finish phD in 4 years. “How hard will it be to get an extension? Will any foreigner still come to the US for a science or engineering PhD?”University of Michigan professor Rudi Bachmann said it’s over for US research.Arvind Satyanarayan, an Indian-origin assistant professor at MIT, said this new policy is a disaster. “CS PhD takes on average 5–6 years. So, my international students will fall out of status before finishing their research program. Disaster.”Maya Sen, a professor at Harvard Kennedy School, said the new rule spells uncertainty for international PhD students in the US. “You may be admitted to do a PhD but then have your visa extension application denied between years 4 and 5.”
What are the big changes in the F-1 visa
- The visa will be valid for four years, not an indefinite time.
- Students will have to file an extension of stay, which may require fresh biometrics.
- Undergrad students must complete one full year before transferring schools.
- Graduate students cannot change schools or programs.
- Can’t just enrol in any course to stay in the US. Many H-1B visa holders also opt for some course to stay valid in the US. But it has to be a higher-level program. The new rules effectively ends Day 1 CPT.
- After the degree, students have only 30 days to stay in the US. They have to depart if their extension is not granted.