On Thursday, July 16, 2026, the Trump administration finalized new rules imposing stricter limits on how long foreign students and journalists can stay in the United States. Under the changes, which could take effect as soon as September, student visas will be limited to the length of the academic program, capped at four years. Most foreign journalists will be allowed to stay for up to 240 days (around eight months), with the possibility to apply for extensions in 240-day increments. However, Chinese journalists will face a shorter stay limit of 90 days.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that the previous open-ended visa system for students, in place since the late 1970s, hindered its ability to monitor visa holders effectively. The DHS received nearly 22,000 public comments after proposing these rules in August 2025 but finalized the regulations largely unchanged.

The United States hosted over 1.1 million international students during the 2023-24 academic year, more than any other country, contributing over US$50 billion to the US economy in 2023. However, universities have reported declines in international enrollments following earlier Trump administration measures, including the revocation of thousands of student visas and suspension of billions in federal research funding. Critics say the new rules weaken the ability of US colleges and universities to attract top talent.

These visa restrictions are part of a broader immigration crackdown that has been a central focus of President Donald Trump's presidency, involving aggressive enforcement in major cities and tighter legal pathways to citizenship.

US passports were photographed in Tigard, Oregon, on December 11, 2021, illustrating the context of travel and immigration policies.

Sources