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MUMBAI: Given the large number of students from China and India that flock to US educational institutes each year, only a handful overstay their welcome. Of the total number of 16.62 lakh students scheduled to complete their studies during the 12-month period ended September 30, 2017, 4.15% overstayed – in other words, they did not depart from the US at the end of their study and practical training program.

These statistics were released last week by the US Department of Homeland Security in its ‘Overstay Report’. Nearly 1.3 lakh Indian students were expected to leave the US during the fiscal 2017 (period October 1, 2016, up to September 30, 2017), of whom 3.45% overstayed. The overstay rate for Chinese students was 3.33%.

An overstay occurs if an individual lawfully admitted to the US for an authorised period remains in the country beyond this tenure. The report explains the authorised period can be a fixed period or can be for the duration of a certain activity – such as the period during which a student is pursuing studies and practical training. DHS identifies two types of overstays.

If no departure is recorded, the individual falls in the category of ‘Suspected In-Country Overstays’. On the other hand, those whose departures are recorded after their authorised period expired fall in the bracket of ‘Out-of-Country Overstays’. Collectively Indian and Chinese students comprise 40% of the total international students. During fiscal 2017, 1.16 lakh ‘F’ category visas were issued to Chinese students and 47,300 to Indian students.

Exchange students get J category visas and those for vocational students are M category. DHS has proposed to raise the visa fees for international students seeking F and M category of visas to $350 from the existing $200. Given current exchange rates, Indian students will have to pay approximately Rs 10,500 more. The hike is expected to be finalised in the coming month.

