latest USA Government rules/updates for Bachelor (undergraduate) studies and related policies in 2026

 

Major F-1 Visa Changes & Proposals (Very Important)

📌 Fixed Visa Duration Instead of “Duration of Status”

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed (and is moving toward implementing) a major change in how F-1 student visas work:

  • The long-standing “Duration of Status (D/S)” policy — which allows students to stay legally as long as they are enrolled — would be replaced by a fixed admission period, often set to the length of the degree program (with possible maximums such as 4 years).

  • If the program lasts longer (e.g., dual majors), students must file extensions with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

👩‍🎓 Impact: This could make visa planning more complex — especially for programs that may take slightly longer than four years.

🛂 2. F-1 Student Visa Processing & Interview Rules

📍 In-Person Visa Interviews Required

Effective since late 2025, the U.S. State Department ended most interview waivers, meaning all F-1 visa applicants must appear in person at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for visa interviews — including renewals.

📌 Expanded Vetting (Social Media & Screening)

Applicants may be asked to provide:

  • Up to 5 years of social media history

  • Additional background information for security checks

This is now a standard part of the student visa process in 2026.

💵 3. New Visa Fees & Compliance Requirements

💲 Visa Integrity Fee

In 2026 the U.S. government introduced a Visa Integrity Fee (~$250) on F-1, J-1, and M-1 visas which is collected at the time of application.

🪪 SEVIS & Interview Fees Still Apply

  • SEVIS fee (~$350) + visa application MRV fee are still required for F-1 visas.

These additional fees make the cost of getting a student visa higher than in previous years.

🧑‍🎓 4. University Transfer & Program Restrictions

Proposed and emerging policy guidance suggests:

  • No university or program transfer during first year of study (with limited exceptions).

  • F-1 students may face restrictions if switching majors/programs early in their first year, which potentially affects undergraduate flexibility.

👉 These changes are part of the broader DHS visa framework revisions.

🧳 5. OPT, Grace Periods, & Post-Study Work (Under Review)

There are ongoing proposals that could impact long-standing benefits such as:

  • OPT (Optional Practical Training) — rules around duration and eligibility could change or become limited.

  • Grace period after program completion could be reduced from 60 days to 30 days under proposed rules.

⚠️ These are proposed changes and not fully finalized as law — but they indicate a shift toward tighter post-study employment options.

📊 6. Broader Political & Administrative Pressure on International Students

In 2025–2026:

  • U.S. immigration policies have become more scrutinized, with federal checks and enforcement rising.

  • Some enforcement actions and expansions in background checks affecting international student experience have been reported.

While these aren’t direct restrictions on bachelor admissions, they form part of the regulatory environment and compliance expectations.

⚖️ 7. Visa Exemptions & Travel Policy

Non-immigrant student visas (F-1, J-1, M-1) continue even in contexts where broader immigration processing or travel bans occur — meaning student visas are still prioritized for issuance and processing.





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