Increased Scrutiny of Student Visas: New Rules for Schools and Foreign Students.
The Act tightens rules for student and exchange visitor visas (F, J, M) by mandating accreditation for educational institutions and increasing penalties for visa fraud. It introduces restrictions for students from countries deemed adversarial or a threat, including a ban on studying aviation and nuclear energy for specific nationals. A major change is establishing a fixed maximum period of stay for students (up to 4 years), replacing the previous duration of status tied to the program length.
Key points
Fixed Duration of Stay: Foreign students (F, J, M visas) will be admitted for a definite period, maximum 4 years, instead of the duration of their program, requiring more frequent extensions.
Mandatory Accreditation for Schools: All institutions hosting F/M/J visa students must obtain accreditation recognized by the Secretary of Education.
Ban for Adversarial Country Citizens: Citizens of China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela (Maduro Regime) will be excluded from seeking higher education in the United States.
Increased Fraud Penalties: Prison sentences for visa fraud committed by educational institution staff increase from 10 to 15 years.
Online Study Restrictions: A maximum of 10% of class time or credits per session can be taken online, enforcing physical attendance requirements for students.
Employer Requirements for Students: Employers hiring foreign students must use the E-Verify system and attest that the student is not replacing a U.S. worker.
Introduced
Citizen Poll