Foreign journalists and international students heading to the United States on temporary visas are to face new limits on how long they can remain in the country under a new rule announced by the US Department of Homeland Security.

The department, in a document, indicated that it is amending its regulations to change the admission period for F, J, and I visas from duration of status to admission for a fixed period, along with additional changes to admission and extension requirements.

The new rule generally limits foreign journalists travelling on I visas to stays of up to 240 days, while most international students on F visas and exchange visitors on J visas will be allowed to remain in the United States for up to four years.