The United States (US) government, led by President Donald Trump, is imposing new limits on the length of time international students, exchange visitors and journalists can stay in the country.
This change ends a system in place for decades, which allowed many of them to stay as long as they were still in school or work.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the new rule on Thursday, July 16.
- International students and exchange visitors will normally be allowed to stay for four years.
- Foreign journalists will receive a maximum sentence of 240 days at a time.
- For Chinese journalists, this deadline falls to just 90 days.
If people want to stay longer, they will have to request an extension or leave the country and return.
The rule will take effect 60 days after its date of publication in the Federal Register. The new set of limits will also face congressional review. This could affect students trying to start college programs in August and September.
It is the latest move in Trump’s broader crackdown on immigration since returning to office in January 2025.
DHS said in a statement that previous administrations allowed foreign students and visa holders to stay in the country almost indefinitely. He called it a security risk and said it costs taxpayers money while disadvantaging U.S. citizens. The ministry says the new rule will make it easier to track people during their stay in the country.
In June, the State Department said it had revoked more than 100,000 visas since Trump took office, including 8,000 held by students.
