US LIMITS VISA DURATION FOR STUDENTS.

The US government plans to shorten the validity period of visas for international students and journalists. The Department of Homeland Security announced this proposed rule recently. Under the new regulations, F visas for foreign students would last a maximum of four years.

Currently, students receive visas that cover the entire length of their academic programs. For many doctoral students, this can exceed five years. Meanwhile, the validity for foreign media professionals will be restricted to 240 days, with a potential extension of another 240 days. However, journalists cannot exceed the duration of their assignments.

Any requests for extensions must go through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which will involve additional security checks. In the past, journalists from countries such as Germany enjoyed visa durations of up to five years. The DHS stated that previous administrations allowed foreign students and visa holders to remain in the US almost indefinitely. They argue that this practice creates security risks and financial burdens, potentially disadvantaging US citizens.

The proposed changes aim to prevent visa abuse and enhance oversight. However, the announcement has sparked immediate backlash from the higher education community. Miriam Feldblum, president and CEO of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, expressed concerns about the new rules. She warned that these regulations would impose unnecessary burdens on students and educational institutions.

Miriam Feldblum stated, “The rule would force international students and scholars to regularly submit additional applications, disrupting their studies and straining university operations.” She added that this uncertainty could discourage international talent from choosing the US for their education and research.

As the debate continues, many stakeholders are voicing their opinions on the potential impact of these changes on education and journalism in the United States.