The new policy was introduced quickly and is not very flexible. Ngoc feels stressed and has to be careful with her visa and immigration papers.

Students are at Carnegie Mellon University in the US.

The US Department of Homeland Security has new rules for students with F-1 and J-1 visas. They can only stay for four years. If they need to stay longer, they must apply for an extension.

Many international students and parents are worried about the new rules.

Max Lu, a student at Harvard, asked what would happen to his status if he left the US and came back.

The new rules will increase paperwork and costs for students. They will have to file an application for an extension, which will be reviewed by the government.

Students who want to study for a higher degree will have to update their records and file an application for an extension.

Graduates who want to work in the US will have to file for an extension and an employment authorization document.

Students face financial and timeline pressures.

To avoid problems, students should submit their applications two to three months before graduation.

The application fees are between $420 and $470. Students may also have to pay an extra $85 for fingerprinting.

It is hard to predict how long it will take to process the applications.

Students who are already in the US will not be affected immediately. They can continue their studies until they finish their program or their visa expires.

Current students can study until the end date on their visa or the expiration date on their employment authorization document.

The new rules will affect doctoral candidates and students who take longer to finish their studies.

The rules will affect students who switch degree levels, extend their language study, or take longer to finish their PhD.

It takes five to seven years to complete a PhD in the US. Many students take longer due to research, publication requirements, and funding issues.

Vanderbilt University's provost warned that the fixed visa limits could disrupt the education of international doctoral students.

The provost said that the fixed period of stay would add expense, delay, and uncertainty for international PhD students.

Doctoral students face added risks if their academic adviser relocates or if their lab loses funding.

Undergraduate degrees often take longer than expected. Only 39.5% of students graduate within four years.

Experts have recommendations for students.

International students can still get extensions if they provide clear academic justifications. Students in co-op programs are well-positioned to justify extensions.

Students should take their coursework seriously and avoid academic trouble. They should also finalize their majors early and secure internships.

Nhung advises students to finalize their majors early, secure internships, and build professional networks. Students should consult their campus international student advisors in advance.

Phuoc recommends that students check their electronic I-94 records to track their legal duration of stay and prepare extension paperwork.

Major institutions have published guidelines and are scheduling information sessions to assist international students.