Trump tightens visa rules for students, exchange visitors and foreign journalists

US President Donald Trump's administration has introduced new limits on the length of US visas for foreign students, exchange visitors and journalists, ending a long-standing policy that allowed many to remain in the country while they continued their studies or work.

Under a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule released on Thursday, most international students and exchange visitors will be granted visas for up to four years, while foreign journalists will generally be limited to 240 days per stay.

Journalists from China will be restricted to 90 days and anyone wishing to remain beyond those periods will need to apply for an extension or leave the United States and reapply.

The rule is due to take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, subject to congressional review.

In a statement issued when the proposal was first announced, the DHS said: “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.”

The department said the changes would improve oversight of visa holders, noting that more than 2,100 people who first entered as students between 2000 and 2010 still held student status this year.

Universities and immigration advocates have warned the new restrictions could make the United States less attractive for international students, researchers and academics.