# Immigration experts advise Indian students to rethink US plans 2026-09-19T20:26:38+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Immigration experts have advised Indian students planning to study in the US over the next two years to prepare differently due to policy volatility. Experts say students should choose a degree programme for its academic value, not just because it is in America, and should not treat a US degree as a guaranteed path to a Green Card or a job. Among the uncertainties cited are the Trump administration's 'duration of status' rule, which would have set a four-year limit on F-1 visas but was blocked on September 14. A new Department of Homeland Security guidance also restricts Curricular Practical Training to programmes where the training is required for all enrolled students, not just international ones. Experts recommend exploring lower-cost alternatives such as co-op arrangements or US universities with campuses in India. "The ones who do well are the ones who plan their education around genuine academic and career value, stay financially realistic, and stay adaptable when the rules shift," said immigration expert Veena Vijay Ananth. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The volatility in US student visa rules comes amid a broader tightening of immigration policy under the Biden and Trump administrations, with the H-1B lottery already oversubscribed for years. For Indian families, who sent over 2.6 lakh students to the US in 2022-23, the financial risk is substantial: education loans for US degrees can exceed Rs 50 lakh. The blocked 'duration of status' rule would have forced students to seek extensions if their course ran beyond four years, adding uncertainty to timelines. With US universities now opening direct campuses in India, the cost-benefit calculation is shifting: a student can earn a US degree at a fraction of the total cost while avoiding visa risks. The next key signal will be whether the Trump administration reintroduces the four-year limit rule after the court block. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com Tags: F-1 visa, H-1B, Indian students, US Department of Homeland Security Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/immigration-experts-advise-indian-students-to-rethink-us-plans/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/immigration-experts-advise-indian-students-to-rethink-us-plans/#story-in-brief