The Trump administration has unveiled sweeping changes to the United States visa system, introducing fixed-term visas for foreign students, cultural exchange visitors and journalists in a move that further tightens the country’s immigration rules.

Under the new regulation issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), student, exchange and media visas will no longer remain valid for the duration of a holder’s academic programme or employment. Instead, most international students and exchange visitors will be granted visas for a maximum of four years, while foreign journalists will receive visas valid for up to 240 days, or 90 days in the case of Chinese nationals.

The DHS said the new rule “creates a fixed time period for F visas for international students, J visas that allow visitors on cultural exchange programs to work in the US, and I visas for members of the media.”

The regulation, whichh will take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, comes as President Donald Trump continues to expand immigration restrictions introduced since returning to office in January 2025.

According to the DHS, “The effective date is 60 days from publication in the federal register, subject to congressional review.”

The administration has argued that growing numbers of foreign students and exchange visitors have made it increasingly difficult for authorities to effectively monitor visa holders.

The department stated that “The significant increase in the volume of such visitors poses a challenge to DHS’s ability to monitor and oversee these non-immigrants while they are in the United States.”

Beyond limiting visa validity, the new regulation also introduces tighter academic restrictions for international students, including limits on transferring schools or changing educational programmes without official approval.

According to the rule, “The regulations prohibit graduate students from changing their ‘educational objectives’ at any point or from transferring to another school without authorization.”

The administration has also reduced the grace period granted to students after completing their studies or training, requiring them to leave the country or secure another legal immigration status more quickly.

The regulation states that it “halves the amount of time students have to leave the United States after completing their degree or training from 60 to 30 days.”

Visa holders wishing to remain in the United States beyond the new limits will now have to seek an extension or leave the country before applying for readmission.

The DHS said. “Visa holders who want to stay in the United States beyond their fixed period of admission will need to apply to DHS for an extension or gain readmission by traveling abroad and then re-entering the United States.”

The policy has drawn criticism from immigration experts, who warned that it would create additional uncertainty for international students and skilled workers seeking to remain legally in the United States after graduation.

Former DHS official Doug Rand said. “Most Americans understand the value of welcoming international students and getting rid of needless red tape. This rule would do the opposite.”

David Bier, Director of Immigration Studies at the Cato Institute, questioned both the legal basis and practical implications of the policy, arguing that graduates would face unrealistic deadlines to secure employment sponsorship. “International students, many of whom will have spent years in the USA, will now have just 30 days to find an employer to sponsor them or immediately be turned into illegal immigrants. Have these people no understanding of how life works?” (AriseNews TV)

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