Trump administration finalises overhaul of foreign journalists' visas, ends 'duration of status' system

WASHINGTON DC: The US Government under the Trump Administration has completed an extensive reorganization of its visa policy for foreign journalists with a complete changeover from the existing “duration of status” program to admission for definite periods when reporters will have to go through regular checks by the authorities to retain their right to work in the country.

According to the announcement made by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the new policy is expected to enhance monitoring of foreign journalists in order to maintain compliance with the terms of their nonimmigrant status.

As per the revised policy, foreign correspondents on I visa will be granted a stay period of 240 days instead of the old arrangement which allowed them to stay in the US for the entire duration of their assignments, sometimes even up to a few years. Media representatives from China will receive an admission period of 90 days.

The rule will take effect 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register, with a transition period beginning in September 2026.

Foreign journalists who wish to stay in the United States beyond their initial period of admission will now be required to apply for an extension of stay and undergo additional screening, including national security checks.

Journalists who submit their extension applications on time may generally continue working while their requests are being processed for up to 240 days. However, Chinese journalists will be permitted to continue working for only up to 90 days during the review period.

The updated policy is part of a wider Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulation covering three categories of nonimmigrant visas: F visas for international students, J visas for exchange visitors, and I visas for foreign media representatives.

Under the new rule, the longstanding "duration of status" system has been replaced with fixed periods of authorized stay, along with new procedures for requesting extensions.

According to the DHS, the changes are intended to strengthen oversight and improve protections by allowing immigration authorities to more effectively assess whether foreign students, exchange visitors, and media representatives are complying with the conditions of their visas while in the United States.