The Trump administration has unveiled a proposal to impose fixed time limits on student, cultural exchange, and media visas — marking another step in its broader crackdown on legal immigration.
The draft regulation, issued Wednesday, would require holders of F visas (international students), J visas (exchange visitors), and I visas (foreign media) to apply for extensions rather than remain for the duration of their programs or employment. Currently, these visas allow stays tied to program length or job tenure.
The move could affect millions. U.S. government data show 1.6 million international students on F visas in 2024, alongside 3,55,000 cultural exchange visitors and about 13,000 members of the foreign press.
Officials argue the change is necessary to improve monitoring of visa holders. The public has 30 days to comment before the measure is finalized.
The proposal revives a similar rule floated in 2020 during Trump’s first term but withdrawn by President Biden in 2021 after opposition from NAFSA, a global association of international educators.
This is the latest in a string of restrictive immigration steps by the Trump administration, including revoking visas over ideological views, rescinding green cards, and tightening scrutiny of naturalization applicants.
A recent USCIS memo even revived neighborhood visits to assess applicants’ “residency, moral character, and commitment to American ideals.”
