New rules for US student visas in 2025: Fee hike, social media checks and more

India Today

4 days ago

The big beautiful dream of studying in the United States is set to become tougher for international students, particularly those from India. Backed by former President Donald Trump, a series of new visa policies are changing the grounds of higher education migration. With higher fees, tighter screening, and stricter stay limits now on the table, students planning to pursue degrees in the US will need to prepare for added costs and closer scrutiny.advertisementNEW VISA FEE INTRODUCEDAt the centre of the changes is the 'One Big Beautiful Bill', signed by Trump on July 4, 2025. The bill introduces a 'Visa Integrity Fee' of 250 USD (21,463) and a mandatory charge of 24 USD (2,060) for the Form I-94, a key document that tracks the movement of foreign nationals.These charges are not optional, and they apply to all applicants under F (academic), M (vocational), and J (exchange) visas, the core categories for international education.
Another mandatory charge now applies to the Form I-94, which is used to track entries and exits of foreign nationals. The new mandatory minimum fee for Form I-94 is 24 USD (around 2,060). Both fees apply to all applicants, including students from India applying for F, M, or J visas.SOCIAL MEDIA NOW A SCREENING TOOLIn a policy that's gaining attention, the US Embassy in India recently directed all student visa applicants to make their social media profiles public during the visa application process. This applies to applicants for the F (academic), M (vocational), and J (exchange visitor) visa categories.Since 2019, the US has required visa applicants to submit their social media handles as part of the application process. What's new is the emphasis on public visibility and the likely scrutiny of content shared on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and others.The purpose, according to US officials, is to ensure transparency and detect any red flags that could indicate a risk of visa overstay or violation of status.FIXED TIME LIMITS PROPOSED FOR STUDENTS TO STAYA major policy proposal still under review is the introduction of fixed stay limits for student visas. At present, students holding F or J visas can stay in the US as long as they remain enrolled full-time. This is known as 'duration of status.'However, under the new proposal, the US government intends to introduce a fixed time frame, possibly 2 or 4 years, depending on the course and institution.After the expiration of this period, students would be required to apply for an extension to remain in the US. While the official rollout date has not been confirmed, sources suggest the implementation could begin before the end of 2025.STUDYING IN THE US IN 2025: WHAT ELSE TO EXPECTadvertisementWhile Indian students continue to apply to US universities in large numbers, 2025 brings a slightly altered landscape. With US consulates already processing a record volume of visa appointments, delays are likely.Students are advised to apply early, keep documentation updated, and be transparent about their digital presence.Another trend is that community colleges and vocational training schools are under greater scrutiny, while applications from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields continue to receive strong support from US institutions and agencies.Many universities have also made AI and climate-focused courses more prominent, reflecting global shifts in demand.For Indian students, the challenge is two-fold: navigating the evolving rules and preparing stronger applications.- Ends