The United States government has unveiled plans to impose stricter limits on the duration of visas issued to international students and foreign journalists, in what officials describe as a measure to strengthen oversight and curb potential abuse.

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the proposed regulation would place a four-year cap on F visas, which are granted to foreign nationals pursuing academic programmes in the US.

At present, student visas typically cover the entire length of study, which may exceed five years in the case of doctoral programmes.

For media professionals, visa validity would be capped at 240 days, with the option of a one-time extension for another 240 days if approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

However, officials noted that visas for journalists would not be permitted to extend beyond the duration of their reporting assignments.

The new policy is aimed at enhancing national security and preventing loopholes that allow long-term stays without renewed vetting. DHS said past administrations had allowed foreign students and journalists to remain “virtually indefinitely,” describing the practice as a potential risk and a burden on US systems.

But the announcement has sparked backlash from the American higher education sector, which fears the changes could discourage international enrolments.

The President and Chief Executive Officer of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, Miriam Feldblum, argued that the rules would create unnecessary hurdles.

“The proposed changes would compel students and scholars to file repeated applications, disrupting their education and straining universities that already provide extensive support to international communities,” Feldblum warned.

She added that the uncertainty could drive top global talent to other destinations.

While DHS insists the reforms are designed to ensure accountability and fair use of visa privileges, critics maintain they could weaken the United States’ long-standing reputation as a premier destination for learning and research.