U.S. Sets Foreign Journalist Visas at 240 Days, 90 Days for Chinese

The Department of Homeland Security announced Thursday that foreign journalists in the United States will receive visas limited to 240 days instead of open-ended stays, with Chinese journalists restricted to 90 days. The rule ends the prior “duration of status” system that allowed journalists to remain as long as they met eligibility requirements.

Visas may still be extended, and the change takes effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.

Background on the policy The agency said the fixed periods will improve monitoring and vetting of nonimmigrant visa holders. The same decision also applies fixed periods to foreign students and visitors. The Trump administration first proposed similar limits in 2020.

The Biden administration later allowed Chinese journalists stays of up to one year before the current rule revived the shorter term.

China’s response China’s Foreign Ministry called the measure discriminatory and said it would affect Chinese media operations in the United States.

“China urges the U.S. to immediately revoke its discriminatory policies targeting Chinese journalists and effectively safeguard their lawful rights and interests in the U.S.”

Lin Jian added that China reserves the right to take reciprocal countermeasures.

Reactions from press groups Advocacy organizations said the shorter visas would hinder international reporting and force frequent renewals that could pressure journalists to avoid critical coverage. One group stated the policy amounts to the behavior of a backsliding democracy rather than a leader in free speech.