US to Limit Foreign Student, Media Visa Stays

The Trump Administration on Wednesday announced a proposed rule that would restrict how long certain visa holders — including foreign students, exchange visitors, and foreign media representatives — can remain in the United States.

If finalised, the policy would replace the long-standing practice of admitting foreign students (F visa holders) for the “duration of status,” which has allowed them to stay in the US for an indefinite period without additional vetting. Instead, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would impose fixed admission and extension periods.

Under the proposal, foreign students and exchange visitors would be admitted for the length of their programme, up to a maximum of four years. Foreign media representatives would initially

be admitted for up to 240 days, with the possibility of an extension for an additional 240 days, not exceeding the length of their temporary assignment.

DHS officials said the change is aimed at curbing visa abuse and improving oversight. “For too long, past Administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to remain in the US virtually indefinitely, posing safety risks, costing untold taxpayer dollars, and disadvantaging US citizens,” a DHS spokesperson said in a statement.

The proposed rule would also require foreign students, exchange visitors, and media representatives to apply for extensions through US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), ensuring regular reviews of their status. DHS said this would improve monitoring through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

A similar rule was introduced in 2020 under President Trump but was withdrawn by the Biden Administration in 2021. The latest proposal

revives the effort, with DHS arguing it would reduce oversight burdens and prevent individuals from exploiting indefinite visa durations.