US to change visa rules for foreign students, journalists

The United States has announced new visa regulations that will impose fixed periods of stay for foreign students, exchange visitors and journalists, replacing the current “duration of status” system. Under a final rule issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), F visas for international students, J visas for exchange visitors and I visas for foreign media will no longer remain valid for the duration of a programme or employment. Instead, most student and exchange visitor visas will allow stays of up to four years, while foreign journalists will generally be admitted for up to 240 days. Chinese nationals holding journalist visas will be limited to 90 days. Visa holders seeking to remain in the United States beyond the approved period will need to apply for an extension with DHS or leave the country and seek readmission. The rule is scheduled to take effect 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register, subject to congressional review. According to DHS, the changes are intended to improve oversight of non-immigrant visa holders amid a significant increase in the number of students, exchange visitors and foreign journalists entering the United States. The move is part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration policy, which has introduced tighter controls on both legal and illegal immigration since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025. (Reuters/Newswire)