US immigration officials blocked Trump’s proposal for a 4‑year cap on F‑1 visas on September 14, a day before the rule was slated to take effect.
The move leaves thousands of Indian students, who had planned multi‑year programs, re‑examining their timelines, budgets and the feasibility of educational loans.
Immigration attorney Gnanamookan Senthurjothi warned that chasing a degree for status is risky, urging applicants to focus on program fit and real‑world experience instead.
The Department of Homeland Security added new CPT guidance, insisting that practical training be essential to the curriculum for all enrolled students, not just international ones.
In response, universities are expanding co‑op and internship models—and even opening campuses in India—to offer a U.S. credential at a fraction of the cost, according to Senthurjothi.
Experts like Veena Vijay Ananth say the U.S. will remain a top study destination, but applicants must now build flexibility into their plans, as policy shifts can arrive unexpectedly.