Is the US a safe bet for international students?

There have been a slew of visa-related announcements from the US, the latest one being the proposed hike in H-IB visa application fees to $100,000 from the existing $2,000 - $5,000 bracket. Such decisions by the Trump administration have created ripples across the study abroad sector and caused anxiety. Naturally, Indian students planning to study abroad are anxious and are wondering whether the US makes sense.

- Piyush Kumar

The answer is nuanced. While such announcements make headlines, their direct impact on students may not be as pronounced. Let's take the case of the H-IB visa issue. While this has caused anxiety, it is important to know that this announcement applies for 12 months only and primarily impacts employers filing new H-IB applications, and it does not apply to visa renewals.

Students beginning their studies now will typically look at H-IB pathways four to five years later, by which time the situation and the policy may be completely different. Also, the current policy is only for the next 12 months and only for the new petition filed.

Moreover, F-1 students who work on OPT and later switch to H-IB are also possibly not impacted, since, according to the proclamation, the fee is applicable to people who are outside the US. However, the order also has certain exemptions for workers in some roles. For example, key sectors which come under “national interest” to the US's economy and security.