US Moves to Shorten Visa Duration for Students, Journalists

The United States government has announced plans to reduce the validity period of visas issued to international students and foreign media professionals, citing security concerns and the need for tighter immigration oversight.

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the proposed rule would cap student visas (F visas) at a maximum of four years, regardless of the length of an academic programme. Currently, student visas typically cover the full duration of study, which for doctoral programmes can exceed five years.

For foreign journalists, visa validity would be limited to 240 days, with a possible extension of another 240 days. Extensions would require applicants to file with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and undergo additional security screening. The new policy would also ensure that media visas do not exceed the duration of journalists’ assignments.

“For too long, past administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to remain in the U.S. virtually indefinitely,” DHS stated. “This poses security risks, creates financial burdens, and may disadvantage U.S. citizens.”

The proposal, however, has sparked criticism from U.S. universities and immigration advocates. Miriam Feldblum, president and CEO of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, warned that the new limits would disrupt academic programmes and discourage global talent.

“The rule would force international students and scholars to submit repeated applications, causing uncertainty that could affect their studies and strain institutional resources,” Feldblum said.

Observers note that the change would mark a significant shift from previous policy, under which some journalists including those from countries such as Germany received visas valid for up to five years.

The DHS says the reforms are designed to prevent visa abuse and ensure better tracking of non-immigrant visitors, but education experts fear the move could make the U.S. a less attractive destination for international study and research.