The United States government has unveiled a proposal to reduce the duration of visas granted to international students and foreign journalists.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the new rule would cap F visas—issued to foreign students—at a maximum of four years. Currently, such visas typically cover the full length of an academic program, which in some cases, such as doctoral studies, can extend beyond five years.
For international media professionals, the proposal would limit visas to 240 days, with the possibility of a single 240-day extension. Journalists’ visas would also be restricted to the length of their specific assignments. Any extensions would require fresh applications through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), including additional security screenings.
Previously, journalists from countries like Germany were eligible for visas lasting up to five years. DHS argued that longer validity periods created “security risks and financial burdens” and placed U.S. citizens at a disadvantage. “For too long, past administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to remain in the U.S. virtually indefinitely,” the agency said in a statement.
The proposal has drawn criticism from U.S. higher education leaders, who warn that the changes could undermine the country’s ability to attract international talent. Miriam Feldblum, president and CEO of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, said the policy would burden students with repeated applications, disrupt academic programs, and strain university systems.
“The uncertainty created by this rule could discourage international students and scholars from choosing the U.S. as their destination for education and research,” Feldblum
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