Overview

• DHS published a proposed regulation in the Federal Register that is not yet final and is open for public input for 30 days.
• The rule would cap F and J visas at four years and limit journalist I visas to 240 days, with a 90‑day maximum for Chinese journalists.
• Graduate students could not change academic fields and would have 30 days to depart after graduation, while English‑language programs would be limited to 24 months with extensions decided case by case.
• Journalists would face more frequent renewals and heightened oversight, including at least annual in‑person interviews at U.S. embassies, and could keep working for the same outlet during extension reviews.
• DHS estimates annualized implementation costs of roughly $390.3–$392.4 million over the next decade, and the proposal follows expanded continuous screening that has included mass visa reviews and thousands of student‑visa revocations.