The United States Government has announced plans to reduce the length of visas given to international students and foreign journalists.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a new rule will limit student visas (F visas) to a maximum of four years. At the moment, student visas usually cover the full academic programme, which can last longer, especially for PhD students.
For journalists, the U.S. plans to issue visas that will only last 240 days, with a chance for one extension of another 240 days. However, the total stay must not go beyond the journalist’s official assignment.
The U.S. government said any extension will now require an application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and applicants will face more security checks.
Before now, journalists from countries like Germany could get visas that lasted up to five years.
The DHS explained the reason for the change, saying, “For too long, past administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to remain in the U.S. virtually indefinitely. This poses security risks and may disadvantage U.S. citizens.”
They said the new rule is to prevent visa misuse and improve monitoring of those staying in the country.
However, the plan is facing strong opposition, especially from U.S. universities.
Miriam Feldblum, head of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, said the new rule would create more stress for students and schools.
“This will force students to apply repeatedly for visas during their studies, which may interrupt their education and affect university systems,” she said. She also warned that the change could stop talented foreign students from choosing to study in the U.S.
The final decision on the rule is still pending, but many education experts are urging the U.S. government to reconsider.
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