The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a proposal to reduce the duration of visas issued to international students and foreign journalists.
According to the new rule, F visas—which allow international students to study in the United States—would be limited to a maximum of four years. Currently, these visas are typically issued for the entire length of a student’s academic program, which, in the case of doctoral degrees, can extend beyond five years.
For members of the foreign press, the News Agency of Nigeria reported on Thursday that visa validity would be capped at 240 days, with the possibility of a single extension of another 240 days. However, journalists’ stays would still be restricted to the length of their professional assignments in the U.S.
Extensions for both categories would require formal applications through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which would involve more extensive security screening.
Historically, journalists from certain countries, such as Germany, have been granted visas lasting up to five years. But DHS argued that the existing system, which allows some foreign nationals to remain in the country for extended periods, has become problematic.
“Previous administrations have allowed students and other visa holders to stay in the U.S. almost indefinitely,” DHS said in a statement. The department cited security concerns, financial costs, and potential disadvantages to American citizens as reasons for the policy change.
The intended goal of the revision, according to DHS, is to curb visa misuse and enhance the government’s ability to monitor nonimmigrant visa holders.
Nevertheless, the proposal has been met with strong opposition from the U.S. academic sector.
Miriam Feldblum, President and CEO of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, criticized the plan, saying it would place an undue burden on both international students and the institutions that host them.
“This rule would compel students and scholars to repeatedly file paperwork, interrupting their academic progress and adding administrative strain to universities,” Feldblum noted. She also warned that the heightened uncertainty might discourage talented individuals from choosing the U.S. for their education and research opportunities.
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