US to Set New Limits on Foreign Student, Media Visas

The Trump administration has unveiled new rules aimed at shortening the stay of foreign students, cultural exchange visitors, and international journalists. The proposal, announced Wednesday, is part of a broader push to tighten U.S. immigration laws.

Currently, visas in these categories generally remain valid for the full length of a program or employment. Under the new rules, fixed limits would be imposed: student and exchange visas capped at four years, and media visas restricted to 240 days. For Chinese nationals, the period could be reduced to just 90 days. Extensions could still be requested, but open-ended stays would end.

The changes affect three visa categories:

• F visas for international students,

• J visas for cultural exchange participants, and

• I visas for foreign journalists.

In 2024, approximately 1.6 million students were in the U.S. on F visas, alongside 355,000 exchange visitors and 13,000 members of the foreign press.

Administration officials argue that the shorter limits are necessary to strengthen oversight and reduce visa overstays. Critics, however, warn the move will undermine international education and press freedom, discouraging students from studying in the U.S. and complicating operations for global media organizations.

A similar plan was introduced in 2020, near the end of Trump’s first term, but was rescinded by the Biden administration in 2021 following strong opposition. NAFSA, an international educators’ association, urged its withdrawal, saying it harmed America’s reputation as a leading academic destination.

The proposal comes amid a series of hardline immigration measures under Trump, including the revocation of visas and green cards for some university students based on ideological grounds and the removal of legal status for hundreds of thousands of migrants.

Read More: UN Announces $600,000 Aid for Pakistan Flood Victims