News summary produced by Claude AI
The Department of Homeland Security has introduced a new regulation restricting the duration of visas for foreign nationals in certain categories, marking a significant change to longstanding immigration policies. Under the directive, international students and exchange visitors will generally be capped at four years of authorized stay, while foreign journalists will be permitted to remain for up to 240 days per admission, with Chinese nationals restricted to 90 days. The regulation applies to individuals who previously could extend their stays indefinitely as long as they maintained their status, such as by continuing enrollment or maintaining journalistic assignments.
The new rule is scheduled to take effect 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register, pending congressional review. The timing could affect international student admissions for academic programs commencing in August and September. Those seeking to remain beyond the designated periods must apply for extensions or depart and reapply for entry. The administration has also tightened rules governing transfers between schools and changes in academic programs, with enhanced scrutiny at the graduate level.
Department officials cited tracking and security considerations as justifications for the policy shift. According to DHS data, the department identified more than 2,100 individuals who initially entered as students between 2000 and 2010 but retained student status as recently as April of this year through program transfers or extensions. The department noted that during fiscal year 2024, the United States admitted approximately 1.8 million student visa holders, over 500,000 exchange visitors, and roughly 37,300 foreign journalists.
The directive represents part of a broader immigration policy review undertaken since the administration took office in January 2025. Earlier in June, the State Department reported revoking more than 100,000 visas, including approximately 8,000 student visas, with some revocations citing political activism. Education institutions and immigration advocacy groups have cautioned that such measures may diminish the United States’ appeal as a destination for international education and research, potentially increasing costs and deterring participation in extended academic programs.