US Proposes New Visa Limits for Foreign Students, Journalists

The Trump administration on Thursday unveiled a proposal to tighten visa rules for foreign students and journalists, introducing new maximum stay durations in a move critics say could discourage international talent and press freedom.

Under the proposed changes, student visa holders would be limited to a maximum stay of four years, regardless of the length of their academic program. Meanwhile, foreign journalists working in the U.S. would be restricted to an initial 240-day stay, with the possibility of applying for one-time extensions of an additional 240 days.

Currently, student and journalist visas are typically issued based on the length of a degree program or media assignment, with some non-immigrant visas valid for up to 10 years. The new limits, published in the Federal Register, mark a significant departure from previous policy and are now open to public comment before any final decision is made.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended the move, arguing that too many visa holders, particularly students, remain in the country indefinitely by extending their programs or switching visa statuses. It claimed that such practices strain U.S. resources and pose security concerns.

“For too long, past administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to remain in the U.S. virtually indefinitely, posing safety risks, costing untold taxpayer dollars, and disadvantaging U.S. citizens,” DHS said in a statement.

However, the department did not provide evidence to support claims that international students harm U.S. interests. In contrast, data from the U.S. Commerce Department showed that international students contributed over $50 billion to the American economy in 2023 alone.

The proposed changes are the latest in a series of immigration restrictions enacted during President Donald Trump’s second term, aimed at reducing both legal and illegal migration into the United States.