The US Introduces Visa Duration Limits for Foreign Journalists and Students

The US will introduce direct duration limits for the visas of foreign journalists, international students, and participants in exchange programs. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the new regulation.According to the announcement, the duration of stay for foreign journalists will be limited to 240 days, with the possibility of extension through a special application. However, this regulation will not apply to Chinese journalists, whose stay is already limited to 90 days.DHS also stated that international students and their families can stay in the US for the duration of their education program, but no more than four years.

DHS believes that the acceptance of non-immigrant individuals with F (academic student), J (exchange program participant), and I (foreign media representative) status under the 'D/S' (duration of stay) application is not appropriate.

The regulation will be subject to review by the US Congress and will come into effect within 60 days if Congress does not make a different decision.For several decades, foreign journalists, students, and participants in exchange programs have been able to stay in the US indefinitely without a change in their immigration status.US President Donald Trump had also attempted to introduce duration limits for foreign journalists and students during his first presidency, but the Joe Biden administration later cancelled this initiative.