OAN Staff Katherine Mosack
8:30 AM – Friday, July 17, 2026
The Trump administration announced a final rule from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that limits the duration of visas for foreign students, cultural exchange visitors and journalists.
The DHS said on Thursday that a “loophole” allowing such individuals to “remain in the United States indefinitely without routine government oversight” had been officially eliminated.
Nonimmigrant visa holders in the following classifications will now have a fixed period of admission:
- F: An international citizen studying full-time at an accredited U.S. college, university, high school, or language training program;
- J: An individual participating in work-based or study-based cultural and educational exchange programs in the U.S.;
- I: A representative of foreign media outlets, such as a journalist, a reporter, a film crew, or an editor, temporarily residing in the U.S. for business.
“For nearly half a century, the outdated ‘duration of status’ system has compromised national security and created an environment ripe for immigration fraud,” said DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “For decades, foreign students have been admitted into the U.S. indefinitely, allowing thousands to abuse our immigration system by perpetually enrolling in courses to avoid having to leave the U.S.”
The secretary continued, “By implementing clear, finite limits on these visas, the United States is reclaiming its ability to properly screen, vet, and monitor individuals within our borders. This final rule ensures that foreign students remain focused on their primary purpose: completing their studies and returning home.”
The department explained in a press release that the unspecified period allocated to foreign students has allowed thousands of foreigners to continually enroll in classes to avoid leaving the country, thereby becoming “forever students.”
To combat the problem, the DHS implemented several reforms through the new rule:
- Nonimmigrant F and J visa holders will be admitted in the U.S. only for the duration of the program, which is capped at four years;
- Visa holders who may need more time to complete their programs must formally apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), rather than through university staff, allowing for more comprehensive vetting and fraud screening;
- F-1 students now have 30 days to depart, transfer schools, or change status after graduating, reduced from 60 days;
- The rule has strict limitations on academic program changes.
A journalist visa would be limited to 240 days, while Chinese nationals are limited to 90 days, according to a Reuters report on Thursday.
The rule will be published to the Federal Register in the coming days and will go into effect 60 days later, at which time current nonimmigrant visa holders in the country will transition to the new framework.
The announcement came on the same day that the DHS issued another rule allowing immigration enforcement officials to factor in a person’s reliance on welfare programs to determine eligibility for permanent citizenship status, further enacting President Donald Trump’s administration’s policy of tightening restrictions for foreigners entering the U.S. through the visa program.
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