The United States government is considering a policy change that could see reduced fixed visa periods for international students, exchange visitors, and foreign journalists.
According to U.S. immigration officials, the proposal aims to enhance national security and strengthen oversight of temporary visa holders by limiting the initial duration of stay. Under the current arrangement, many holders of F, J, and I visas are granted status for the length of their programs, often with flexible end dates. The review seeks to replace this with a fixed period, after which visa holders would need to apply for an extension to continue their stay.
Authorities say the move would help the Department of Homeland Security monitor compliance more effectively and ensure that those remaining in the U.S. are doing so for legitimate purposes. Critics, however, warn that the change could impose additional financial and bureaucratic burdens on students, educational institutions, media organisations, and cultural exchange programmes.
The proposal is still under consideration, and no official implementation date has been announced. If approved, it would mark a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy, potentially affecting thousands of Nigerians and other foreign nationals pursuing education, training, or media work in the country.
