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The Trump administration has ended the decades-old “duration of status” policy for foreign students, exchange visitors and media representatives in the US, introducing fixed visa stays of up to four years. Under the new rule, extensions will require USCIS approval, biometric checks and background screening. The move aims to tighten immigration oversight and curb visa misuse.

Washington: The Trump administration on Thursday announced a final rule ending a decades-old policy that allowed many foreign students and exchange visitors to remain in the United States without a fixed end date, replacing it with time-limited admissions and mandatory federal reviews for visa extensions.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the final regulation eliminates the "duration of status" framework for non-immigrant visa holders in the F, J and I categories. Under the new rule, foreign students, media representatives and exchange visitors will be admitted for the length of their approved programme, subject to a maximum stay of four years.

The department said the rule is intended to "restore integrity" to the immigration system, curb visa abuse and strengthen national security through regular government vetting.

"For nearly half a century, the outdated 'duration of status' system has compromised national security and created an environment ripe for immigration fraud," DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said.