Career Crafters

 As of July 2026 , the United States has introduced or proposed several significant changes affecting international students (F-1 visa holders) . Some are already in effect, while others are proposed rules that may take effect later in 2026. Major USA Education & Student Visa Changes (July 2026) 1. Fixed Stay Period Replacing "Duration of Status" (Proposed) One of the biggest proposed changes is replacing the traditional "Duration of Status (D/S)" system with a fixed admission period , generally up to 4 years for most F-1 students. Impact: Students may need to apply for an extension if their program lasts longer than four years (such as many PhD programs). Less flexibility than the previous system. 2. F-1 Grace Period May Be Reduced The current 60-day grace period after completing studies is proposed to be reduced to 30 days . This means students will have less time to: Apply for OPT Transfer to another institution Change visa status Le...

 As of July 2026 , Germany has introduced and confirmed several important changes affecting international students , especially those from India. 1. New dMAT (Digital Master Test) for Some Indian Students ⭐ The biggest change is the introduction of the Digital Master Test (dMAT) . It applies to selected Master's applicants from India . Initially, it covers graduates in fields such as: Engineering Commerce Finance Accounting Economics Business Management The dMAT is an additional requirement alongside the APS Certificate—it does not replace APS. 2. APS Certificate Still Mandatory Indian students must continue obtaining an APS (Academic Evaluation Centre) Certificate before applying for a German student visa. Recent APS updates include: Higher Class XII marks for some undergraduate applicants. Integration of the new dMAT process for eligible Master's applicants. 3. Blocked Account Requirement For 2026, students must show financial proof through a blocked account. Required amou...