The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled new visa regulations that will limit the length of time international students, exchange visitors and foreign journalists can remain in the United States.
Under the new policy announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), most international students and exchange visitors will be granted permission to stay in the U.S. for a maximum of four years.
Foreign journalists will receive visas valid for up to 240 days, while journalists from China will be limited to 90-day visas.
Under the revised rules, visa holders who wish to remain in the United States beyond their approved period will be required to apply for an extension or leave the country and submit a fresh visa application.
The new policy is expected to take effect 60 days after its publication, subject to congressional review. It is expected to affect international students admitted for academic programmes beginning in August and September.
Explaining the rationale for the changes, the Department of Homeland Security said the policy is intended to strengthen oversight of visa holders and address long-standing concerns over individuals remaining in the country for extended periods by repeatedly extending or changing their academic programmes.
“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.
According to the DHS, the decision followed findings that thousands of foreign nationals had remained in the United States on student visas for several years through repeated programme extensions or changes.
The visa restrictions form part of President Trump’s broader immigration agenda aimed at tightening immigration controls and strengthening enforcement of visa regulations.
However, the policy has drawn criticism from some stakeholders, who argue that the new restrictions could discourage international students, researchers and academic professionals from choosing the United States as a destination for higher education and research.
