The Overseas Press Club (OPC) and the Foreign Press Association issued an alert on October 26 urging members to oppose a Department of Homeland Security proposal that would cut the validity of I-visas for foreign journalists from five years to just 240 days, after which they would need to apply for renewal. Comments are due by the close of business on the same day.
Media watchdogs argue the rule would burden news bureaus with constant paperwork, expose reporters to visa denials as retaliation for critical coverage and invite tit-for-tat measures against U.S. journalists abroad. They also note that many correspondents travel frequently; a lapse could strand families overseas or interrupt coverage of U.N. and White House events.
For multinational outlets, the proposal raises mobility costs: legal-fee budgets would increase, and HR teams would need to track rolling expiration dates akin to assignment visas. Some organizations are considering switching staff to O-1 “extraordinary ability” visas, though these entail stricter evidentiary burdens.
DHS defends the change as necessary to “ensure that I-visa holders continue to engage only in bona fide journalistic activity” and to harmonize rules with other non-immigrant categories. A final rule could appear in early 2026 after DHS reviews public comments.
Media watchdogs argue the rule would burden news bureaus with constant paperwork, expose reporters to visa denials as retaliation for critical coverage and invite tit-for-tat measures against U.S. journalists abroad. They also note that many correspondents travel frequently; a lapse could strand families overseas or interrupt coverage of U.N. and White House events.
For multinational outlets, the proposal raises mobility costs: legal-fee budgets would increase, and HR teams would need to track rolling expiration dates akin to assignment visas. Some organizations are considering switching staff to O-1 “extraordinary ability” visas, though these entail stricter evidentiary burdens.
DHS defends the change as necessary to “ensure that I-visa holders continue to engage only in bona fide journalistic activity” and to harmonize rules with other non-immigrant categories. A final rule could appear in early 2026 after DHS reviews public comments.
