US limits student visa duration and clamps down on stays by foreign journalists | The National

Georgetown University in Washington. ReutersInfoStudent visas to expire after four years, foreign journalists only allowed to stay for eight months but can ask for renewals ReutersJuly 16, 2026

The Trump administration has tightened visa durations for foreign students, cultural exchange visitors and journalists through a new Department of Homeland Security rule.

International student and exchange visas will be capped at four years, down from the current open-ended duration tied to programme length.

Journalist visas will be limited to 240 days, or 90 days for Chinese citizens, with extensions available upon application.

There were more than 1.8 million student visa admissions in 2024, an 11 per cent increase on the previous year, prompting the regulatory change.