US to tighten visa regulations for foreign students, journalists

Source: USA Today

Updated July 16, 2026, 4:09 p.m. ET


WASHINGTON - The Trump administration moved on Thursday, July 16 to tighten the duration of visas for foreign students, cultural exchange visitors and journalists.

The new final rule from the Department of Homeland Security creates a fixed time period for F visas for international students, J visas that allow visitors on cultural exchange programs to work in the U.S., and I visas for members of the media. Those visas are currently available for the duration of the program or employment in the U.S.

The effective date is 60 days from publication in the federal register, subject to congressional review.

President Donald Trump, a Republican, kicked off a wide-ranging immigration crackdown after taking office in January 2025. His administration has increased scrutiny of legal immigration, revoking student visas and green cards of university students over their ideological views and stripping legal status from hundreds of thousands of migrants. The latest action would create new hurdles for international students, exchange workers and foreign journalists.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/07/16/us-visa-regulations-for-foreign-students-journalists/90944886007/