US Moves To Limit Student Visas To 4 Years, Journalists’ Visas To 240 Days

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced plans to shorten the validity of visas for international students and journalists.

Under the proposed rule, F visas for foreign students would be limited to a maximum of four years, replacing the current practice of granting visas for the entire duration of an academic program, which can exceed five years for doctoral studies.

For international media professionals, visa validity would be capped at 240 days, with the possibility of one additional 240-day extension. Journalists’ visas would also be restricted to the length of their assignments, with any extensions requiring applications through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and additional security checks. In the past, journalists from countries such as Germany have been granted visas lasting up to five years.

DHS said the change is intended to prevent visa abuse, improve oversight, and address potential security and financial risks. “For too long, past administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to remain in the U.S. virtually indefinitely,” the department stated.

The proposal sparked immediate criticism from U.S. higher education leaders. Miriam Feldblum, president and CEO of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, said the rule would create unnecessary obstacles for international students and universities.

“The rule would force international students and scholars to regularly submit additional applications, disrupting their studies and straining university operations,” Feldblum said, warning that the uncertainty could discourage top global talent from studying and conducting research in the U.S.