US tightens visa rules for foreign journalists

The US administration has introduced sweeping new visa restrictions for foreign journalists, replacing the long standing open ended system with fixed term visas and limiting Chinese journalists to stays of just 90 days.

The Donald Trump administration took the move that has drawn criticism from press freedom organisations and prompted Beijing to warn of reciprocal measures.

Under a new rule issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Thursday, foreign journalists will now be granted visas for a maximum of 240 days instead of being allowed to remain in the United States for the duration of their accredited status.

The regulation will take effect 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register, although affected journalists will be able to apply for extensions.

The DHS said the policy is designed to strengthen oversight of temporary visa holders and improve the vetting process for foreign journalists and others entering the United States.

The administration has imposed even stricter restrictions on journalists from mainland China, reducing the validity of their visas to just 90 days. The measure does not apply to reporters from Hong Kong or Macao.

Press freedom organisations strongly criticised the decision, arguing that requiring journalists to renew their visas frequently would create uncertainty and make it more difficult for international media organisations to operate in the United States.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) described the eight month visa limit as a serious setback for press freedom, saying it would undermine the ability of foreign correspondents to report effectively from the country.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) also condemned the measure, saying it was inconsistent with the values of a country that champions freedom of expression.

China reacted sharply to the announcement, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian describing the restrictions as discriminatory and urging Washington to reverse what Beijing considers policies targeting Chinese journalists.

Lin said China reserved the right to take reciprocal countermeasures if the new restrictions remain in force.

The latest move is expected to place additional strain on already delicate relations between Washington and Beijing, despite recent efforts by both sides to stabilise bilateral ties.

The revised visa policy forms part of the Trump administration’s broader tightening of immigration regulations.

Although foreign journalists are not classified as immigrants, the changes also affect several other temporary visa categories, including students and exchange visitors, by replacing open ended stays with fixed periods.

A similar proposal was introduced during President Trump’s first term in 2020 but was withdrawn after President Joe Biden took office in 2021.

During the first Trump administration, Chinese journalists were also restricted to 90 day visas in response to China’s treatment of American reporters, including the expulsion of several Wall Street Journal journalists.

The Biden administration later eased those restrictions, allowing Chinese journalists to stay in the United States for up to one year before the latest policy reversal.