The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has introduced new visa rules that will limit how long foreign students, exchange visitors and journalists can stay in the United States.
Under the new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policy, most international students and exchange visitors will be allowed to stay for a maximum of four years, while foreign journalists will receive visas valid for up to 240 days. Chinese journalists will be limited to 90 days.
Anyone wishing to remain beyond the approved period must apply for an extension or leave the U.S. and reapply.
The rule, which takes effect 60 days after publication pending congressional review, is expected to affect students admitted for programmes starting in August and September.
Explaining the decision, DHS said, “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 amount of taxpayer dollars, and disadvantaging U.S. citizens.”
The department said the new policy will improve monitoring of visa holders and follows the discovery that thousands of people remained on student visas for years by extending or changing their academic programmes.
The move is part of Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, although critics argue it could discourage international students and researchers from choosing the U.S. for higher education.
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