The Trump Administration has announced a proposed rule that would limit the length of stay for certain visa holders, including foreign students, exchange visitors, and media representatives, in a bid to curb visa abuse and strengthen Department of Homeland Security (DHS) oversight.
“For too long, past Administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to remain in the U.S. virtually indefinitely, posing safety risks, costing untold taxpayer dollars, and disadvantaging U.S. citizens,” a DHS spokesperson said. “This new proposed rule would end that abuse once and for all.”
Since 1978, F-visa holders, such as international students, have been admitted for an unspecified “duration of status,” allowing them to remain in the country without time limits or routine vetting. Critics argue this has led to “forever students” who enrol repeatedly to prolong their stay.
Under the proposed change, foreign students and exchange visitors would be admitted for the duration of their academic or cultural programme, capped at four years.
Foreign media representatives would be granted an initial admission period of up to 240 days, with the possibility of an extension for a similar period, but no longer than the length of their assignment.
The rule would also require visa holders to apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for extensions, enabling DHS to conduct regular assessments through its oversight systems SEVP and SEVIS. Officials argue this will improve access to critical information and reduce the number of people overstaying visas.
First proposed in 2020 during Trump’s presidency, the measure was withdrawn by the Biden Administration in 2021. The Trump Administration is now seeking to reintroduce it, insisting that the reform is necessary to protect U.S. taxpayers and restore proper checks on visa programmes.
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