US colleges urge F-1 and J-1 visa holders to return before 15 September as new rules near
Columbia University urged F-1 and J-1 visa holders, including many Indian students, to return to the US before 15 September due to impending changes by the Department of Homeland Security. The new rule will limit F-1 visa stays to four years and reduce the grace period after studies from 60 to 30 days, raising concerns about the impact on international students' academic and work plans. Critics argue that the four-year cap does not align with the realities of higher education completion times, potentially disrupting students' studies and research.