U.S. Slashes Foreign Journalist Visa Lengths, China Threatens Retaliation
On Thursday, July 16, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security announced a rule limiting most foreign journalist visas in the United States to 240 days.[1]
Chinese journalists, excluding those from Hong Kong and Macao, will be limited to 90-day visas under the new policy.[1] The rule will take effect 60 days after it appears in the Federal Register and visas can be extended on application.[1] China warned it may take reciprocal countermeasures in response to the United States' decision.[1]
Previously, many foreign reporters entered the country under an open-ended 'duration of status' that let them stay without fixed visa expiration dates.[1] Press groups Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists denounced the rule as a serious blow to press freedom.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Thursday, July 16, 2026, DHS announced a rule capping foreign journalist visas at 240 days instead of open-ended 'duration of status'.
- Chinese journalists, excluding those from Hong Kong and Macao, will be limited to 90-day visas under the new policy.
- The rule will take effect 60 days after Federal Register publication and can be extended on application.
- China warned it may take reciprocal countermeasures in response to the U.S. decision.
- Press groups Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists denounced the rule as a serious blow to press freedom.
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