Korean students, parents face uncertainty over tightened US visa rules

Korean students preparing to study in the United States are now grappling with growing uncertainty after the Trump administration announced a new visa rule capping the duration of international students' stay to four years.

On Thursday (local time), the U.S.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a rule tightening the permitted length of stay for foreign students, journalists and participants in exchange programs.

DHS said the measure "restores integrity to the nation's immigration system, combats rampant visa abuse and strengthens national security through regular vetting." Under the new rule, nonimmigrant students on F visas and exchange visitors on J visas will be admitted for the duration of their specific academic program, up to a maximum of four years.

The rule could take effect as early as September.

"My child is preparing for college applications, and I'm getting more worried by the day," one user wrote on an online forum for parents navigating U.S. college admissions.

"If the four-year limit on F-1 visas is strictly enforced, it could cause a lot of problems." "Studying i ...