The Trump administration has introduced new regulations limiting the duration of visas issued to foreign students, cultural exchange visitors and foreign journalists, according to a final rule published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Under the new rule, F visas for international students, J visas for cultural exchange participants and I visas for members of the foreign media will no longer be issued for the duration of an individual’s academic programme or U.S.-based employment. Instead, they will be granted for fixed periods.
The regulation will take effect 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register, subject to congressional review.
The move forms part of President Donald Trump’s broader immigration policy agenda following his return to office in January 2025 and is expected to introduce additional requirements for international students, exchange programme participants and foreign journalists seeking to remain in the United States.
Under the new framework, student and exchange visitor visas will generally be limited to a maximum of four years. Journalist visas, which previously could remain valid for several years, will be issued for up to 240 days, while Chinese nationals holding journalist visas will be limited to 90 days.
The Department of Homeland Security said visa holders will be able to apply for extensions if they wish to remain in the United States beyond their authorised period.
The department said the changes were prompted by a sharp increase in the number of visa holders. According to DHS, more than 1.8 million student visa admissions were recorded in 2024, representing an increase of more than 11% compared to the previous year.
The U.S. also issued visas to more than 500,000 exchange visitors and 37,300 members of the foreign media during the 2024 fiscal year, which began on October 1, 2023.
DHS said the growing number of students, exchange visitors and journalists has created challenges in monitoring and overseeing non-immigrant visa holders while they remain in the United States.
The department also noted that it had identified numerous cases in which students and exchange visitors had remained in the country for decades under the existing visa system.
Under the new regulations, individuals wishing to stay beyond the fixed admission period will be required to apply to DHS for an extension or leave the United States and seek readmission through a new visa process.