US imposes new time limits on student, exchange and journalist visas

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has introduced new time limits on visas for foreign students, exchange visitors and journalists, ending a long-standing policy that allowed many to remain in the United States for the duration of their studies or assignments.

Under a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule, international students and exchange visitors will generally be admitted for up to four years, while foreign journalists will be allowed to stay for up to 240 days per admission. Chinese journalists will be limited to 90-day stays.

Visa holders seeking to remain in the U.S. beyond those periods will be required to apply for an extension or leave the country and seek re-entry.

The regulation is scheduled to take effect 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register, pending congressional review, and could affect students enrolling in programmes beginning in August and September.

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The DHS said the changes are intended to strengthen oversight of visa holders and address concerns about individuals remaining in the country for extended periods under student or exchange visitor status.

According to the department, more than 2,100 people who first entered the U.S. as students between 2000 and 2010 were still maintaining student status as of April this year by enrolling in new programmes, transferring schools or extending their studies.

The new rule also introduces tighter restrictions on students transferring between institutions or changing academic programmes, particularly at the graduate level.

DHS data shows the United States recorded more than 1.8 million student visa admissions in 2024, an increase of over 11 percent from the previous year. During the same period, the country admitted more than 500,000 exchange visitors and about 37,300 foreign journalists.

The policy forms part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to tighten immigration rules. In June, the State Department disclosed that it had revoked more than 100,000 visas since President Trump returned to office in January 2025, including about 8,000 student visas.

Immigration advocates and universities have criticised the new measures, warning that they could make the United States a less attractive destination for international students, researchers and academics by increasing uncertainty and administrative costs.