The U.S. government is moving to shorten visa validity periods for international students and foreign journalists, according to an announcement by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Under the proposed rule, F visas for foreign students would be capped at a maximum of four years, replacing the current system that grants visas for the full length of academic programs, which can exceed five years for doctoral candidates.
For international media workers, visas would be limited to 240 days with the possibility of a one-time 240-day extension, but never longer than the duration of their assignments. Any extension would require an application through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), triggering extra security reviews.
In the past, journalists from countries such as Germany have been issued visas lasting up to five years. DHS argued that past policies have allowed visa holders to remain in the U.S. “virtually indefinitely,” creating security risks, financial burdens, and disadvantages for American citizens.
The agency said the changes are intended to curb visa abuse and improve oversight. However, the plan has sparked strong pushback from the U.S. higher education sector.
Miriam Feldblum, president and CEO of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, warned that the rules would place heavy burdens on 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, adding that the uncertainty could discourage global talent from pursuing education and research in the U.S.
