The United States has introduced new restrictions on visas for foreign students, cultural exchange participants, and journalists under the administration of President Donald Trump. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the final regulation on Thursday, setting fixed validity periods for F (student), J (exchange), and I (journalist) visas. The rule will take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, pending congressional review. The new policy limits student and exchange visas to a maximum of four years, while journalist visas will be capped at 240 days, and only 90 days for Chinese journalists.

The DHS stated that the changes were necessary due to the rising number of non-immigrant visa holders, which has made monitoring more difficult. In 2024, over 1.8 million student visas were issued, an 11 percent increase from the previous year. The new rule also restricts graduate students from changing study programs or institutions without approval and shortens the post-study departure period from 60 to 30 days.

Critics, including former DHS officials and immigration experts, argue that the policy lacks legal basis and could discourage international students from studying in the United States.