Irish students urged to be aware of stricter US visa regulations affecting J1s
The Trump administration has recently tightened rules around letting foreign students, journalists, and cultural exchange visitors into the country.
Irish students are being urged to be aware of new, stricter visa regulations coming into place in the USA that will affect J1S.
The Trump administration has recently tightened rules around letting foreign students, journalists, and cultural exchange visitors into the country.
The new rule means that there will be a set time period for certain visa holders to work in the US, according to RTÉ.
Student and exchange visas will no longer be more than four years, with more than 5,000 Irish students availing of a J1 programmes every summer.
The visa for journalists, which can currently last for years, will now be changed to just 240 days or just 90 if it is for a Chinese national.
The change will not come into effect immediately, but will be in place 60 days after being published in the federal register.
For students, it will also mean that they will not be able to transfer schools without permission, and they must leave the United States 30 days after completing their degree, a decrease from 60 days.
"Most Americans understand the value of welcoming international students and getting rid of needless red tape. This rule will do the opposite," Doug Rand, a former DHS official, said.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in America has said the huge increase in visitors in recent years has created a challenge for the Department when it comes to monitoring and overseeing non-nationals.
It added that it has seen many examples of students and exchange visitors overstaying their welcome and not leaving America for decades.
Those with visas who want to extend their stay past the fixed period can apply to the DHS for an extension, or they can gain readmission by leaving and re-entering the US.