The Trump administration announced a new final rule that sets fixed durations for F visas (students), J visas (cultural exchange), and I visas (journalists), replacing the previous policy of allowing stays for the duration of the program or employment.
The rule is scheduled to take effect 60 days after publication in the federal register, pending congressional review.
The big picture: Student and exchange visas will now be capped at four years, while journalist visas will be limited to 240 days, with Chinese journalists restricted to 90-day stays.
- Holders of these visas can apply for extensions or may be required to leave and re-enter the country to regain legal status.
Driving the news: The Department of Homeland Security cited a significant rise in issued visas as a reason, reporting over 1.8 million student visas, more than 500,000 exchange visitor visas, and 37,300 journalist visas granted in fiscal year 2024.
- Officials claim the surge in visa numbers poses oversight challenges and that some visa holders have remained in the US for decades.
Zoom out: The move is part of a broader immigration crackdown by the Trump administration, which has increased scrutiny on legal immigrants and occasionally revoked student visas and green cards over ideological views.
