The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Thursday announced plans to limit the length of visas for foreign students, cultural exchange visitors and journalists in continuation of the Trump administration’s attempts to reduce legal immigration.
According to the DHS, the new measures would apply to F-visas for international students; J visas for cultural exchange programs; and I visas for members of the media. Presently, these visas span the duration of the program or employment in the U.S. Under the new rules, the limits would be strictly capped, potentially creating new hurdles for the impacted visa categories.
“For decades, foreign students have been admitted into the U.S. for an unspecified period, enabling thousands to abuse the system and become ‘forever students’ by perpetually enrolling in courses to avoid leaving our nation,” the DHS said on X.
“By implementing clear, finite limits on these visas, the United States is reclaiming its ability to properly screen, vet, and monitor individuals within our borders,” it added.
Under the new regulations, the student and exchange visa periods would be no longer than four years. The visa for journalists, which can span years, would be capped at 240 days or, in the case of Chinese nationals, 90 days. The visa holders could apply for extensions, said the DHS.
The rules also bar graduate students from changing their “educational objectives” at any point or from transferring to another school without authorization. Additionally, they halve the amount of time students have to leave the United States after completing their degree or training from 60 to 30 days. In essence, this means international students would now have 30 days to find an employer to sponsor them if they wish to remain in the country as legal immigrants.
According to the DHS, the amended rules are necessary because it has “many examples” of students and exchange visitors staying for decades on their visas. It said the U.S. had granted visas to more than 500,000 exchange visitors and 37,300 members of the media in fiscal year 2024.