Trump administration delivers bad news on US visas for foreign students and journalists. Student visas now capped at maximum four years. Journalist visas reduced to 240 days, per newly released draft rules.
Meanwhile, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announces that investing at least five million US dollars grants permanent residency in United States.
To tighten legal immigration, Trump administration plans to limit visa durations for participants in student cultural exchange programs and foreign media workers. Published Wednesday in local time, new draft rules state student and exchange worker visas last up to four years.
Journalist visas, previously valid for several years, now shortened to 240 days. For Chinese citizens, this drops to 90 days. However, visa holders can apply for extensions.
Reports indicate that in 2024, nearly 1.6 million international students stayed in US on F visas. Additionally, about 355,000 cultural exchange participants and 13,000 foreign journalists received US visas.
Trump administration claims these changes essential for better monitoring and oversight of visa holders’ activities during their stay in US. Public gets 30 days to provide feedback on this proposal.
Back in 2020, Trump administration proposed similar rules, but Biden administration withdrew them in 2021.
Analysts fear that if implemented, these steps create new hurdles for international students, exchange workers, and foreign journalists in US. Previously flexible stays now require separate applications for extensions.
Not stopping at visa bad news for foreign students and journalists, US administration hints at major visa policy shifts. In Fox News interview, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says H-1B visas changing. Green cards transforming too. Replacing them: Gold Card.
Read more: Trump Faces Lawsuit from Fed Governor Lisa Cook Over Unlawful Dismissal
Under proposed Gold Card scheme, investing at least five million US dollars allows permanent US residency. Lutnick claims 250,000 people already waiting for this program. Implementation could bring 1.25 trillion dollars in revenue to US economy.
