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US visa rules change: DHS sets fixed stay limits for foreign students, journalists and exchange visitors
DHS plans new US visa rules with fixed stay limits for foreign students, exchange visitors and journalists, replacing the current open-ended visa system.
The Trump administration announced new visa rules on Thursday that will make it harder for some foreign students, exchange visitors and journalists to stay in the US. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a new final rule that changes how long certain visas will remain valid.
The new rule applies to F-visas for international students. It also applies to J-visas, which are given to people taking part in cultural exchange programs and allow them to work in the US. The rule also covers I-visas, which are issued to foreign journalists and members of the media.
US visa rules: Fixed stay instead of open-ended visas
Right now, people with F, J and I visas can stay in the US for the entire length of their study program, exchange program or media job. Under the new rule, these visa holders will instead get a fixed period of stay. The new rule will become effective 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register, but it must first go through Congressional review.
Since returning to office in January 2025, President Donald Trump has launched a broad crackdown on immigration, according to Reuters. This latest rule is expected to create new hurdles for international students, exchange visitors and foreign journalists.
The Trump administration has increased checks on legal immigration. The administration has revoked student visas and green cards of some university students because of their ideological views, according to Reuters. The administration has removed the legal status of hundreds of thousands of migrants.
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New visa time limits explained
Under the new rule, F student visas and J exchange visitor visas will be limited to a maximum stay of four years. I-visas for foreign journalists will be limited to 240 days. Chinese journalists will get a shorter visa period of up to 90 days. People who need to stay longer can apply for a visa extension. DHS said the number of these visa holders has increased sharply in recent years.
There were more than 1.8 million student visa admissions in 2024, which was over 11% higher than in 2023. The US also issued visas to more than 500,000 exchange visitors during fiscal year 2024. During the same fiscal year, the US granted visas to 37,300 foreign journalists and media workers. Fiscal year 2024 began on October 1, 2023.
DHS said the growing number of visa holders has made it more difficult to monitor and oversee people while they are living in the United States. DHS also said it has found many cases where students and exchange visitors stayed in the US for decades under the current visa system.
Under the new rule, anyone who wants to remain in the US after their fixed visa period ends must apply to DHS for an extension. Another option is to leave the United States and return later with a new admission.
