Trump Administration Moves to Limit Student and Media Visas, Revives 2020 Proposal

New York/Washington, Aug 28 — The Trump administration has proposed new restrictions on the duration of visas for foreign students and media personnel, reviving a rule first floated in 2020 but withdrawn under President Biden.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the move would end indefinite stays for certain visa categories, particularly the F visa issued to international students. Since 1978, foreign students have been admitted under a “duration of status” clause that allows them to remain in the United States as long as they are enrolled in academic programs, without a set expiry date.

The administration argues that the system has been misused. “For too long, past administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to remain in the US virtually indefinitely, posing safety risks, costing untold amounts of taxpayer dollars, and disadvantaging US citizens,” a DHS spokesperson said.

Under the proposal, the maximum stay for students and exchange visitors would be tied to the length of their academic program but capped at four years. Extensions would require approval from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, adding layers of scrutiny.

The rule also affects foreign journalists. Currently, I visas for media professionals are issued for five years with possible renewals. The proposed changes would reduce the initial admission period to 240 days, with an extension of another 240 days permitted but no longer than the assignment’s duration.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed that the administration is also preparing reforms to the H1B visa program, heavily used by Indian IT professionals, as well as changes to the Green Card process. “I’m involved in changing the H1B programme. We’re going to change that programme, because that’s terrible,” he told Fox News.

The visa overhaul comes at a time of rising strain in US–India ties after Washington imposed 50 percent tariffs on Indian purchases of Russian oil, a move that took effect on Wednesday.