What would a Trump presidency mean for current international master’s students on an F1 visa?

A second Trump presidency is likely to have significant implications for current international master’s students on an F-1 visa, reflecting many of the policies and trends observed during his first term. Here are some key potential impacts:

Stricter Visa Policies and Higher Denial Rates

• The Trump administration is expected to maintain or intensify stricter visa policies, leading to higher denial rates for F-1 visas, especially for students from countries with high visa overstay rates or those designated as state sponsors of terrorism145.
• Students from countries like China, Iran, and certain African and Middle Eastern nations may face even more scrutiny and higher denial rates due to heightened vetting procedures and security concerns124.

Changes to Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT

• There could be limits on the duration of OPT and potential restrictions or elimination of the STEM OPT extension, which allows STEM students to work for up to 36 months after graduation. This would significantly impact post-graduation job prospects for international students123.

Increased Scrutiny and Background Checks

• International students can expect more extensive and time-consuming background checks, particularly those from "high-risk" countries. This will require more documentation and may lead to delays and higher denial rates14.

Limitations on F-1 Visa Duration

• The administration may propose limiting the duration of F-1 visas to 2 or 4 years for students from certain countries, replacing the "duration of status" policy. This would create uncertainty and additional costs for students, especially those pursuing degrees longer than four years, such as PhDs13.

Impact on H-1B Visas

• The denial rate for H-1B visas, which is crucial for international students transitioning to work in the U.S., is expected to increase. During Trump's first term, the H-1B denial rate rose to 24%, compared to 2% in later years. This could disrupt career paths and limit job opportunities for graduating students124.

Travel and Re-entry Issues

• Students may face challenges when traveling outside the U.S. and re-entering on F-1 status. If their prior F-1 visa has expired, they would need to re-apply for the F-1 visa in their home country, which could lead to delays and uncertainties1.

Return of Unauthorized Presence Rule

• The Trump administration might reinstate the rule that makes it easier for students to unintentionally accrue unauthorized presence, triggering severe penalties such as the 3- and 10-year bars. This policy was previously blocked by a federal judge but could be revisited1.

General Uncertainty and Impact on Higher Education

• The overall uncertainty and stricter immigration policies could lead to a decline in international student enrollment, affecting the diversity and financial health of U.S. universities. This was observed during Trump's first term, with a 12% decline in international enrollments145.

In summary, a second Trump presidency is likely to introduce or reinstate several policies that will make it more challenging for international master’s students on F-1 visas to maintain their status, secure post-graduation work opportunities, and navigate the U.S. immigration system.