The Trump administration moved on Thursday to tighten the duration of visas for foreign students, cultural exchange visitors, and journalists. These new rules are part of a broader push to restrict legal immigration pathways and crack down on immigration.
Under the finalized rules, the administration is scrapping a decades-old policy that allowed international students and exchange visitors to remain in the U.S. for as long as their studies lasted. These visas will now be capped at four years, ending open-ended stays and requiring holders to seek federal permission or apply for extensions to stay longer.
The rules also create a fixed time period for foreign media. Journalist visas, which could previously last for years, will be limited to 240 days. Chinese nationals will face more restrictive limits, with stays capped at 90 days.