Going to US for Studies Becomes Difficult

June 30, 2026

Ever since Trump assumed power in the US, it has become increasingly difficult for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and other immigrants to enter the country. This issue is not limited to the US; Canada and various European nations have also shifted their stance and are no longer welcoming towards NRIs and other foreign nationals.

The underlying reason is the perception held by the US and these Western nations that the influx of immigrants—and their tendency to stay on after completing their studies—deprives native citizens of fair wages for their labor; immigrants are often willing to work for lower pay, a situation native citizens view as contrary to their own interests. Consequently, it has become progressively harder for students to travel to the US and other countries for education. Previously, traveling to these nations for academic purposes was relatively easy.

The US and Canada were preferred destinations for young Indians; they would travel there on study visas and subsequently extend them. Since working while studying is permitted, they would gradually establish themselves in the country before eventually bringing their families over. Indian students typically travel to the US for programs in engineering, technology, science, medicine, and research. Many of these courses span more than four years, requiring students to repeatedly seek visa extensions. The issue regarding duration is that the longer the study program, the more difficult it becomes to plan for the future. The US is poised to deal another blow to these programs. It is preparing to replace the decades-old “Duration of Status” system with a fixed-term admission model. Reports indicate that the budget office has granted approval to the Department of Homeland Security, and the new rule is set to be published in the Federal Register.

Under this new system, neither academic students (F-1 visa holders) nor exchange visitors (J-1 visa holders) will be granted visas for an indefinite period; instead, they will receive visas valid only for shorter durations. It implies that one will have to incur expenses to renew the visa with the US bureaucracy every time; essentially, these prosperous nations want to ensure that even holders of this—the most popular visa—do not enter their countries for an indefinite period. It must be understood that these ‘uncertain’ and ‘uninvited’ guests can now be sent back at any time once their visa expires.