US sets 4-year cap for many student visas, 240-day limit for journalists
What's next: The rule takes effect in 60 days unless Congress blocks it, and students would get just 30 days to leave after finishing.
The Department of Homeland Security moved July 16 to replace open-ended US stays for foreign students, exchange visitors and journalists with fixed visa terms. Under the final rule, F and J visas would generally run no longer than four years, while I visas for foreign media would be limited to 240 days, or 90 days for Chinese nationals. The rule is set to take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, subject to congressional review. DHS also would bar graduate students from changing educational objectives and require authorization to transfer schools. It would cut the post-completion departure window for students from 60 days to 30 days.