The US Department of Homeland Security announced on July 17, 2026, that visas for foreign journalists will be shortened from five years to 240 days. Chinese journalists will have an even shorter visa validity of 90 days. The longstanding “duration of status” system that allowed foreign journalists to “remain in the United States indefinitely without routine government oversight” has been abolished.
National Security and Immigration Oversight
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated: “For nearly half a century, the outdated ‘duration of status’ system has compromised national security and created an environment ripe for immigration fraud.” He explained that for decades, foreign students have been admitted indefinitely,
allowing many to abuse the immigration system by continually enrolling in courses to avoid leaving the US. The DHS is now “reclaiming its ability to properly screen, vet and monitor individuals within our borders” through these new finite visa limits.
Reactions from Journalism Advocacy Groups
Reporters Without Borders expressed outrage, saying: “We are outraged that the Trump administration has cruelly limited the duration of visas for foreign journalists from a period of up to five years to a fixed eight months.” The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the policy as “the behavior of a backsliding democracy, not the international vanguard of free speech.” The group
warned that shortened visa durations and a cycle of renewals may pressure journalists to avoid criticizing the US administration for fear of visa denial.
Chinese Government Response
The Chinese foreign ministry called the policy discriminatory. Spokesperson Lin Jian urged the US to immediately revoke the policies targeting Chinese journalists and “effectively safeguard their lawful rights and interests in the US.” Lin also warned: “China reserves the right to take reciprocal countermeasures.”
Impacts on Foreign Students and Policy Implementation
Besides foreign journalists, the rule also affects foreign students and exchange visitors who were previously allowed to stay indefinitely without routine oversight. The new visa system will take effect 60 days after
its publication in the Federal Register. The Trump administration initially proposed the 90-day rule for Chinese journalists in 2020; the Biden administration had dropped this proposal before its revival in 2026.
