The U.S. government has unveiled plans to reduce the validity period of visas for international students and foreign journalists, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Thursday.
Under the proposed rule, F visas — which allow foreign students to pursue academic programs in the United States — would be capped at four years. Currently, students are granted visas for the full length of their programs, which can exceed five years for doctoral degrees.
For journalists, visa validity would be limited to 240 days, with the possibility of one extension of the same duration. The DHS said press visas would not exceed the length of an assignment.
Any extensions would require fresh applications through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, triggering additional vetting and security checks. By contrast, media professionals from countries such as Germany have in the past received visas valid for up to five years.
“For too long, past administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to remain in the U.S. virtually indefinitely,” DHS said in a statement, arguing the changes were necessary to curb visa abuse, reduce financial burdens, and strengthen oversight.
The proposal drew swift criticism from the U.S. higher education community. Miriam Feldblum, president and CEO of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, warned the measure would impose unnecessary administrative hurdles.
“The rule would force international students and scholars to regularly submit additional applications, disrupting their studies and straining university operations,” Feldblum said. She added that the uncertainty could discourage global talent from choosing the U.S. for education and research.
