Hyderabad: After the United States announced that visas of foreign students would not be renewed if they are pursuing their course online due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the students are forced to take immediate action. Trouble has mounted for Indian students since those who choose not to depart might face immigration proceedings.
What is F1 student visa?
- An F1 visa is issued to international students who are attending an academic program or English Language Program at a US college or university.
- F1 students must maintain the minimum course load for full-time student status. They can remain in the US for up to 60 days beyond the length of time it takes to complete their academic program unless they have applied and been approved to stay and work for a period of time under the OPT Program.
US to not renew F1 visas for foreign students with online classes
- On July 7, US said that the visas of foreign students would not be renewed if they are studying fully online due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
- The new order pertains to F1 students who are pursuing academic courses and M1 students who are pursuing vocation coursework.
What is the new US order on F1 visa?
- The new US order on F1 visas, the student visas of foreign students who are attending online-only classes in the US will not be renewed.
- F1 students who are pursuing academic courses and M1 students who are pursuing vocation course work entirely online have to immediately take action as if they could face legal action and immigration proceedings if they do not leave the US.F1 students must maintain the minimum course load for full-time student status.
- They can remain in the US for up to 60 days beyond the length of time it takes to complete their academic program, unless they have applied and been approved to stay and work for a period of time under the OPT Program.New rules on F1 student visa –Impact on Indian students
Why is it important for Indian students?
This new order is a worrying matter for Indian students considering that the highest number of foreign students in the US are from India.
In 2019, the highest international student populations in the US by their nation of origin were:
- China, with 369,548 students
- India, with 202,014 students
- South Korea, with 52,250 student
Exemption -Exemption is available only for those who have enrolled as hybrid course and the universities which allow online classes but not more than 3 credit hours. Also who enrolled as a full-time course.
Hybrid course- It means where the complete session will not be online and some classes will be offline too.
READ: Australia suspends extradition treaty with HK; extends visas for residents
How will this decision impact Indian students who are in the US on F1 visa?
Indian students who already have an F1 visa will need to come back and see if their university is resuming on-campus classes. If not, they would need to transfer to any US university which is resuming on-campus classes.
Many new students every year enrolled in US universities but in this pandemic situation and after this order students will have to wait or apply to other universities.
Penalty
If the student violates this rule they might face a ban for the entry in USA for the entire life or they will come across the law activity.
Solution
Students can apply for the other universities which will have hybrid courses.
US Universities planning:- As per the order, Harvard Business School is planning for the hybrid classes, while some famous universities are planning for the legal proceeding for this.
