US to tighten visa regulations for foreign students, journalists

The Trump administration has made efforts to limit the duration of visas for international students, cultural exchange participants and journalists.

According to the newly promulgated regulation by the DHS, there will now be a fixed period for the F visas for foreign students, J visas for cultural exchange participants and I visas for media representatives.

These types of visas can be held for the duration of the program or employment in the United States now. This regulation is scheduled to take effect 60 days following its publication in the Federal Register. There will then be a period of congressional review.

US President Donald Trump, a Republican, launched an extensive campaign against illegal immigration immediately after he assumed power in 2025. In addition, his administration has become stricter about legal immigrants, canceling the student visas and green cards of university students because of their ideological beliefs.

The new policy will make things difficult for the international students, exchange workers and journalists. According to the new regulations, the duration of student and exchange visas will not exceed four years.

In August, China’s foreign ministry opposed the proposed new rule for Chinese journalists as being discriminatory. The Chinese Embassy did not immediately return a request for comment on Thursday.

The proposed regulations would prevent graduate students from changing their academic goals or transferring to another institution without official approval.

They would also reduce the grace period after completing studies or training from 60 days to 30 days, giving students less time to secure employment or make departure arrangements. Critics, including former DHS official Doug Rand and Cato Institute's David J. Bier, argue that the measures create unnecessary barriers and lack a solid legal foundation.

The Department of Homeland Security justified the proposal by pointing to a sharp increase in visa admissions, with over 1.8 million student entries and more than 500,000 exchange visitors in fiscal year 2024.

According to DHS, the growing number of visitors makes it harder to monitor compliance, and some individuals have remained in the country for decades under these visa categories. Under the new rules, those wishing to stay beyond their authorized period would need to obtain an extension or leave and re-enter the United States.