China threatens countermeasures after Trump Administration imposes visa limit on its journalists

Published 17 July 2026 · world

The Trump administration has announced sweeping changes to visa rules for foreign journalists working in the United States, significantly reducing the duration of their stay

The Trump administration has announced sweeping changes to visa rules for foreign journalists working in the United States, significantly reducing the duration of their stay and drawing criticism from press freedom groups and China. Under the new policy unveiled by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Thursday, visas for foreign journalists will be limited to 240 days (around eight months) instead of allowing them to remain in the country for years under the existing "duration of status" system. Chinese journalists will face even stricter limits, with visas capped at 90 days, a move that has heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing. Quick answers to key questions • 5 QUESTIONS 1 What are the new visa limits for Chinese journalists under the Trump administration's policy? ⌵ Chinese journalists will now face a maximum visa limit of 90 days, significantly limiting their time in the U.S. for journalistic work. 2 How does the Trump administration's new visa policy change the duration of stay for foreign journalists in the U.S.? ⌵ The new policy caps foreign journalists' visas at 240 days, replacing the previous 'duration of status' system which allowed for indefinite stays as long as they met eligibility requirements. 3 Why did China criticize the new visa restrictions imposed by the Trump administration?

⌵ China condemned the visa restrictions as discriminatory and warned of potential reciprocal measures, stating it will negatively impact Chinese media organizations operating in the U.S. 4 What process must foreign journalists follow if they wish to extend their stay under the new visa rules? ⌵ Foreign journalists must apply for extensions to their visas once their initial period expires, as the new rules require fixed durations instead of indefinite stays. 5 How might the new visa policy affect press freedom and independent reporting in the U.S.? ⌵ Media advocacy groups argue that the restrictions could hinder press freedom by forcing journalists to navigate a cycle of visa renewals, making them cautious in their reporting to avoid rejection. The new rules are scheduled to take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. What changes under the new rule? The DHS will eliminate the long-standing "duration of status" system, which allowed foreign journalists to remain in the US as long as they continued to meet visa eligibility requirements. Instead, journalists will be admitted for a fixed period, after which they must apply for extensions if they wish to continue working in the country. Officials said the change would allow the government to conduct more frequent reviews of visa holders and ensure their activities remain consistent with visa conditions.