The administration of United States President Donald Trump has finalised new immigration rules limiting the duration of visas issued to foreign students and journalists as part of its broader crackdown on legal immigration.
Under the new policy, expected to take effect as early as September, international students will be admitted for the duration of their academic programme, up to a maximum of four years.
Foreign journalists will be restricted to an initial stay of 240 days (about eight months), with the option to apply for additional 240-day extensions. Chinese journalists, however, will be limited to 90-day stays.
The Department of Homeland Security said the changes are intended to prevent abuses of the visa system, arguing that some foreign nationals had remained in the country indefinitely by repeatedly extending their studies.
The United States hosted more than 1.1 million international students during the 2023–2024 academic year, contributing over $50 billion to the US economy, according to official figures.
Universities and higher education groups criticised the policy, warning it could discourage talented international students from choosing US institutions and increase administrative burdens.
Media organisations and several foreign governments also opposed the restrictions on journalists, urging the administration to allow longer visa durations for accredited foreign correspondents.
The Trump administration rejected those requests, maintaining that the new limits would strengthen oversight of visa holders.
Former President Joe Biden had reversed a similar proposal introduced during Trump’s first term, but the policy has now been reinstated. The rule remains subject to congressional review.
