New U.S. F-1 Visa Rules 2025. Thousands of Indian students dream of studying in the United States every year. But new visa rules announced recently could make that journey a little more challenging.
The U.S. government has introduced fresh restrictions on the F-1 visa, which is the most common visa for international students. These rules are aimed at tightening the system, but they also mean less flexibility for students once they arrive in America.
No university transfers in the first year
One of the biggest changes is that students who receive an F-1 visa will no longer be allowed to transfer to another university during their first year of study. In the past, many students applied to well-known universities with higher fees just to secure a visa, but after landing in the U.S., they shifted to smaller, cheaper institutions.
As per the new rules, now, students will have to complete at least one year at the university they first enrolled in before they can request a transfer.
For undergraduate students, there’s an additional restriction. They cannot change programs, majors, or education levels during their first year. Exceptions will be granted only in rare situations, such as a university shutting down or a natural disaster.
Overview of New U.S. F-1 Visa Rules 2025
| Category | Details |
| Article | New F-1 Visa Rules for Students |
| Type | Student Visa Policy Update |
| Country | United States |
| Scheme | F-1 Visa |
| Department | U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) & SEVP |
| Key Changes | 1-year restriction on transfers, no back-to-back degrees, 4-year visa limit |
| Implementation | Within 30–60 days (Fall 2025 admissions likely affected) |
| Risk | Overstay penalties, more paperwork, higher costs |
No Multiple degrees
Another major shift is the end of pursuing multiple degrees at the same academic level without leaving the U.S. For example, earlier, some students stayed on by completing back-to-back master’s programs. Under the new framework, this won’t be allowed. If a student wants to pursue another degree at the same level, they will have to leave the country and apply for a fresh visa.
Fixed four-year visa limit
Perhaps the most impactful change is that F-1 visas will now have a fixed maximum duration of four years. Earlier, visas were valid for the “duration of status,” which gave students more flexibility. With the new rule, once the four years end, students must leave the U.S. and reapply for a new visa if they want to continue studying.
This will affect those moving from a bachelor’s degree to a master’s, or from a master’s to a Ph.D., since they may need to renew visas in between.
The rule also introduces a shorter grace period, which is just 30 days after the visa expires. If students stay longer without approval, they could be marked as unlawfully present, which may result in bans on re-entering the U.S. for three or even ten years.
More paperwork, more costs
The new system will require students to apply for extensions through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services if they need extra time. This adds more paperwork, higher costs, and longer waiting times. Even students who had extensions approved in the past could face tougher scrutiny and possible rejections going forward.
What this means for Indian students
These changes could make life more difficult for international students, especially the thousands of Indians heading to the U.S. each fall. Universities are also expected to raise concerns, since stricter visa rules may discourage talented students from choosing the U.S. over other study destinations like Canada, the U.K., or Australia.
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For now, students planning to study in the U.S. should prepare carefully, choose their university wisely, and be aware of the new rules before making their move.
FAQs for New U.S. F-1 Visa Rules 2025
Not in their first year. Students must complete at least one academic year at their initial university before applying for a transfer, except in rare cases like a university closure.
No. Students will not be allowed to take multiple degrees at the same academic level (like two master’s programs) without leaving the U.S. and applying for a fresh visa.
The visa will now be issued for a maximum of four years, instead of the earlier “duration of status.” Students exceeding this limit must leave and reapply.
Unlawful presence will begin immediately after the visa ends. Even short overstays could lead to re-entry bans of three years or ten years.
Yes. The rules are expected to be implemented within 30–60 days, which means students applying for the August 2025 intake will likely face these restrictions.