The U.S. government is planning to make changes to the rules regarding visas for international students and journalists, according to an announcement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Under the new proposal, international students who hold F visas, which permit them to study in the United States, will have their visa duration limited to a maximum of four years.
Currently, these students can receive visas that last for the entire length of their academic programs, which can often take more than five years, especially for those pursuing doctoral degrees.
For journalists coming to the U.S., their visas would only be valid for up to 240 days, with the possibility of extending it for another 240 days.
However, the duration of a journalist’s visa would not be allowed to exceed the length of their assignment.
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If journalists or students want to extend their visas, they will need to go through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which will require additional security checks.
Previously, journalists from certain countries, such as Germany, could receive visas that lasted for up to five years.
The DHS believes that past administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to stay in the U.S. for too long, which they say could lead to security issues and financial impacts, potentially putting U.S. citizens at a disadvantage.
The goal of these proposed changes is to reduce visa misuse and improve management of the visa system. However, the proposal has already faced strong opposition from the higher education community in the U.S.
