The Trump administration has announced new restrictions on the duration of US visas for foreign students, cultural exchange participants and journalists, as part of its broader immigration policy overhaul.
Under a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule, F visas for students, J visas for exchange visitors and I visas for foreign media representatives will now be issued for fixed periods rather than remaining valid for the duration of an approved program or employment.
The regulation is scheduled to take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, pending congressional review.
The new policy limits student and exchange visas to a maximum of four years, while journalist visas will be valid for 240 days, or 90 days for Chinese nationals. Visa holders may apply for extensions.
The rule also introduces additional restrictions for international students, including requiring approval before changing educational objectives or transferring to another institution. In addition, the grace period for students to leave the United States after completing their studies will be reduced from 60 days to 30 days.
DHS said the changes are intended to improve oversight amid rising visa numbers, noting that the United States admitted 1.8 million international students in 2024, an 11% increase from the previous year, along with more than 500,000 exchange visitors and 37,300 foreign journalists.
Critics argue the measures could make the United States less attractive to international students and researchers. Former DHS official Doug Rand said the rule would undermine the country's ability to attract global talent, while David J. Bier of the Cato Institute questioned the legal basis for some of the new restrictions.
The changes form part of a broader immigration agenda pursued by President Donald Trump since returning to office in January 2025, which has included tighter controls on legal immigration and increased scrutiny of visa holders.
