The DIGNITY Act of 2025 aims to eliminate the “Intent to Leave” requirement for foreign students applying for F-1 visas, potentially reshaping U.S. immigration policy for international education.
The number of international students selecting the United States as their study destination has been on a steady decline, largely due to stricter immigration enforcement and heightened visa scrutiny under recent U.S. policies. In response to these concerns, lawmakers have introduced the DIGNITY Act of 2025, a proposed reform designed to eliminate the long-standing “Intent to Leave” rule that currently impacts foreign students applying for F-1 visas.
While the proposed repeal could facilitate the process for students seeking U.S. study visas, another suggested change involving fixed-term admissions may introduce new challenges for international students.
The DIGNITY Act of 2025 has been jointly introduced by Congresswomen María Elvira Salazar and Veronica Escobar, along with a bipartisan group of 20 co-sponsors. A central element of the bill is the proposal to abolish the “Intent to Leave” requirement, which currently mandates that international students prove their intention to return to their home country after completing their studies.
If passed, the Act could significantly alter the evaluation process for student visa applications in the U.S.
Currently, F-1 visa applicants must demonstrate non-immigrant intent, which requires them to declare plans to leave the U.S. after finishing their education, show strong ties to their home country, and provide evidence such as property ownership, family connections, or employment prospects. Failure to convincingly prove intent to return often results in visa denials, even for academically qualified students.
The proposed repeal under the DIGNITY Act would eliminate this specific barrier, meaning future student visa decisions would no longer hinge solely on a student’s declared intention to leave the U.S. after graduation. However, it is important to note that this change does not grant automatic permission to remain in the U.S. after studies. Students wishing to stay must still qualify for appropriate employment-based or other legal immigration categories.
In tandem with the proposed repeal, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has suggested a regulatory shift that could affect student stay limits. This proposal seeks to change student admissions from a “Duration of Status” to a fixed time period. Currently, the “duration of status” allows students to remain in the U.S. as long as they maintain valid student status. Under the proposed system, students would be admitted for a specific, pre-determined time frame, after which they would be required to exit the country—even if their academic program is still ongoing.
This change would apply to holders of F, J, and I visas and could create uncertainty for students facing program extensions, research delays, or medical or academic interruptions.
If implemented together, these two policy changes could yield mixed outcomes for international students. On the one hand, the removal of the “intent to return” requirement could lead to easier visa approvals and reduced rejections based solely on immigration suspicion, potentially improving confidence among international applicants. On the other hand, strict exit deadlines under fixed-term admissions could result in increased paperwork for extensions and greater uncertainty for long-term academic programs.
It is essential for students to understand that the DIGNITY Act of 2025 is still a proposal and has not yet become law. The fixed-term admissions policy is still under regulatory review, and existing F-1 rules remain in effect until formal changes are enacted. Students must continue to adhere to all post-study visa procedures for legal residency.
In conclusion, the DIGNITY Act of 2025 represents a significant step toward easing one of the most restrictive aspects of U.S. student visa policy. The removal of the Intent to Leave rule could encourage more international students to consider U.S. education once again. However, the proposed shift to fixed-term admissions may introduce new uncertainties that students will need to navigate carefully.
As reforms continue to evolve, international applicants should stay informed, seek proper guidance, and plan well in advance.
Source: Original article