News Desk: A major policy change by the United States government has triggered uncertainty among thousands of Indian students studying in America, with experts warning that the new immigration rules could significantly complicate pathways to permanent residency. According to a recent memorandum issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, “Adjustment of Status” within the United States will now be permitted only under exceptional circumstances. The move effectively ends a decades-old practice that allowed eligible visa holders to complete their Green Card process without leaving the country. USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler stated that temporary visas should not serve as a direct route to permanent residency. Under the revised framework, applicants may now be required to return to their home countries for immigrant visa processing through US consulates.
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The policy is expected to affect F-1 student visa holders most severely, particularly Indian students pursuing higher education in the US. Analysts believe the change could place additional pressure on American consulates in cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai, where appointment wait times are already lengthy. Immigration experts have also expressed concern over the financial risks for Indian families. Many students rely on education loans and long-term employment prospects in the US after graduation. However, uncertainty over residency pathways may discourage companies from sponsoring international graduates in future.
The development comes alongside proposals by the Department of Homeland Security to replace the long-standing “Duration of Status” system with fixed four-year limits on student visas. Observers believe the combined impact of these policies could prompt more Indian students to consider alternative destinations such as Canada, the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, where immigration pathways are viewed as more stable and predictable.
