People line up to apply for U.S. visas in front of the U.S. Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 23rd. Yonhap News.

The U.S. Trump administration is pushing to restrict the validity period of non-immigrant visas issued to foreign students, exchange visitors, and journalists.

On the 27th (local time), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced plans to limit the visa validity for foreign students (F visas) and exchange visitors (J visas) to the duration of their respective programs, not to exceed four years.

Additionally, the stay for foreign media representatives (I visas) will be limited to 240 days.

While the journalist visa can be extended for another 240 days, it cannot exceed the time required to complete the specific assignment.

The Department of Homeland Security explained that current visa holders in these categories are permitted to remain in the U.S. indefinitely as long as they continue to meet the conditions of their visa, with no set expiration date.

For example, foreign students who enter the U.S. on an F visa can remain in the country as long as they continue their studies at a DHS-approved educational institution.

J visa holders are currently permitted to stay for the duration of their exchange programs, and journalists with I visas can stay until their work assignments in the U.S. are completed.

This also applies to family members who received visas alongside them.

The DHS stated that foreign students have become "permanent students" by remaining enrolled in higher education institutions simply to stay in the U.S., adding that the proposed regulation will help prevent visa abuse and ensure these individuals are properly vetted and monitored.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security stated, "For too long, past administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to remain in the U.S. virtually indefinitely, which poses security risks, places a massive burden on taxpayers, and puts U.S. citizens at a disadvantage."

Yonhap News