The Trump Administration has introduced a proposed rule that would limit the duration certain visa holders, including foreign students, professors, and physicians, can remain in the United States without additional screening. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says this measure is intended to address concerns about visa abuse and improve oversight.
“For too long, past Administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to remain in the U.S. virtually indefinitely, posing safety risks, costing untold amount of taxpayer dollars, and disadvantaging U.S. citizens,” said a DHS spokesperson. “This new proposed rule would end that abuse once and for all by limiting the amount of time certain visa holders are allowed to remain in the U.S., easing the burden on the federal government to properly oversee foreign students and their history.”
Currently, foreign students holding F visas are admitted under a “duration of status” policy established in 1978. This allows them to stay in the country for an indefinite period as long as they maintain their student status.
According to DHS officials, some individuals have remained enrolled in higher education programs for extended periods to avoid leaving the country.
Under the proposed changes, admission and extension periods for foreign students and exchange visitors would be tied directly to their academic program’s length but capped at four years. Foreign media representatives would receive an initial admission period of up to 240 days with possible extensions not exceeding another 240 days or beyond their assignment’s duration.
If finalized, these changes would require affected visa holders seeking longer stays to apply for authorization through United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), allowing DHS more regular opportunities for review.
DHS states that this approach will enhance its ability to monitor compliance using systems such as SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) and SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System), making oversight more effective by improving access to information about visa holders.
The proposal was initially introduced during President Trump’s previous term but was withdrawn by the Biden Administration in 2021.
