The United States administration under President Donald Trump has capped the length of visas for foreign students, exchange visitors, and journalists. This new regulation ends a long-standing system that permitted these individuals to remain in the US as long as they were enrolled in school or on assignment.
Under a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule, international students and exchange visitors will generally receive visas limited to four years. Foreign journalists will be admitted for a maximum of 240 days at a time. Chinese nationals working as journalists will face a stricter limit of 90 days. Individuals wishing to stay longer must apply for an extension or leave the country and reapply.
This regulation will become effective 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register, subject to congressional review. The timing could affect admissions for college programs scheduled to begin in August and September. This move aligns with Trump's broader strategy of tightening immigration rules since his return to office in January 2025.
The DHS stated that previous administrations allowed foreign students and other visa holders to stay almost indefinitely. This practice, according to the department, posed safety risks, incurred taxpayer costs, and disadvantaged US citizens. The primary justification for these changes is to enhance the government's ability to monitor individuals on these visas.
The DHS has identified more than 2,100 individuals who entered the US as students between 2000 and 2010 who still held student status in April of the current year. These individuals were still enrolled in new programs, had transferred schools, or extended their program dates to remain in the country. The new rule also introduces stricter conditions for international students who wish to transfer schools or change academic programs, particularly at the graduate level.
In 2024, the US recorded over 1.8 million student visa admissions, representing an increase of more than 11 percent from the previous year. During the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, the US admitted more than 500,000 exchange visitors and approximately 37,300 foreign journalists. The DHS noted that this increased volume of visitors challenges the department's capacity to monitor these nonimmigrants effectively while they are in the United States.
This initiative represents the latest action in Trump's broader effort to impose stricter controls on both irregular and legal immigration. In June, the Department of State confirmed it had revoked over 100,000 visas since Trump reassumed office last year. This total included 8,000 student visas, many of which were canceled due to the holders' political activism. Immigration advocates and universities have voiced concerns that these policies could diminish the US's appeal as a destination for study, teaching, or research. They warn of increased costs and discouragement for those pursuing longer academic programs in the country.