The Donald Trump administration in the United States is pushing for measures to limit the validity period of non-immigrant visas for foreign students, exchange visitors, and journalists.
On the 27th (local time), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a proposal to limit the visa validity period for foreign students (F visa) and exchange visitors (J visa) to the duration of their participation in programs, setting a maximum duration of four years.
The stay period for foreign media representatives (I visa) is up to 240 days, with an extension possible for an additional 240 days, but extensions exceeding the necessary duration for work performance are not allowed.
Additionally, those wishing to extend their stay must apply for stay extension permission with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and undergo regular evaluations by the DHS.
The DHS claimed that previously, visa holders could stay in the U.S. indefinitely while meeting visa issuance conditions, causing safety risks and burdening taxpayers with significant expenses.
In fact, under the previous rules, students holding F and J visas could stay in the U.S. until they completed their academic and exchange programs, while journalists holding I visas could remain indefinitely until their assignments ended. The same regulations applied to family members who received visas together.
The DHS stated that it expects this proposal to prevent visa abuse and ensure proper verification and supervision of foreign residents.
A DHS spokesperson noted, "Foreign students have become 'eternal students' to stay in the U.S.," adding, "We will manage the extension requests systematically for foreigners wishing to remain."