The administration of United States President Donald Trump has finalised new regulations that will limit the length of stay for foreign students and international journalists in the country.
The move is part of the administration’s efforts to tighten immigration policies, but has drawn criticism from media organisations and higher education institutions over concerns it could affect press freedom and reduce the appeal of US universities to international students.
Under the new rules, foreign student visas will be limited to a maximum period of four years, while foreign journalists will only be allowed to remain in the US for up to 240 days for each entry.
The regulation, which could take effect as early as September, states that foreign students may only stay for the duration of their studies, subject to the four-year limit.
Meanwhile, international journalists will be granted a stay of up to 240 days, or about eight months, with the option to apply for an extension for the same period.
However, journalists from China will face stricter conditions, with their stay limited to 90 days per entry and extensions capped at another 90 days.
The new policy is part of Trump’s broader immigration agenda, which includes stricter enforcement measures and tighter controls on legal immigration pathways.
The decision has sparked strong criticism from press freedom groups and universities, with Reporters Without Borders (RSF) warning that restrictions on foreign journalists could affect their ability to report from the US.
RSF North America Advocacy Manager Ben Grazda said the changes could make it harder for international media organisations to operate in the country and urged Congress to intervene to protect journalists’ ability to carry out their work.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) also described the move as a sign of declining democratic practices and media freedom in the US.
The regulation was finalised after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) received nearly 22,000 public comments since the proposal was introduced in August 2025.
DHS had previously argued that some foreign students repeatedly extended their studies in order to remain in the US indefinitely under student status, claiming the existing system made monitoring visa holders more difficult.
Official figures showed the US hosted more than 1.1 million international students during the 2023-2024 academic year, making it the world’s most popular destination for international education.
Their presence contributed more than US$50 billion (RM204 billion) to the US economy in 2023.
However, higher education groups warned that the new rules could make American universities less attractive to talented students from around the world.
The Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration said the policy would increase administrative burdens and weaken the competitiveness of US higher education institutions.
The latest regulation is similar to a proposal introduced during Trump’s first presidential term, which was later cancelled by his successor Joe Biden.
The new rules will now undergo review by the US Congress, which is controlled by the Republican Party.
