Trump administration proposes fixed-duration visas for foreign students, exchange visitors, and journalists

The Trump administration has proposed a regulation that would set fixed durations for visas issued to international students, cultural exchange visitors, and foreign journalists in the United States.

The proposed rule aims to replace the current “duration of status” system, under which these visas remain valid for the length of the academic program or employment.

Under the proposal, F visas for students and J visas for exchange visitors would be limited to a maximum stay of four years, while I visas for foreign journalists would be capped at 240 days. Chinese journalists would face a stricter 90-day limit. Visa holders would still have the option to apply for extensions.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that the current system allows some individuals to remain in the country without undergoing new vetting. Officials said that setting fixed-term visas would provide the government with greater oversight of visa holders.

DHS has opened a 30-day public comment period for this proposal, during which feedback from the public, educational institutions, and other stakeholders can be submitted.

The proposed regulation is part of the administration’s broader immigration measures. Officials emphasized that the changes are intended to enhance oversight rather than to restrict legitimate participation in educational or professional programs.

The new limits would require international students, cultural exchange visitors, and foreign journalists to adhere to specific maximum durations for their visas, after which extensions would be needed to continue their stay legally.

Advocacy groups and educational institutions have expressed concerns over the proposal, noting that it may create additional administrative requirements for international students and foreign journalists.

Officials from the administration maintain that the changes are necessary to monitor visa compliance and ensure that participants in these programs are subject to periodic review.

The DHS will consider all public comments before finalizing the regulation. The proposed changes are expected to have implications for international students, cultural exchange visitors, and foreign journalists currently planning to travel to or remain in the United States under these visa categories.