The United States is moving ahead with new restrictions on journalist visas that would sharply limit how long Chinese reporters can work on U.S. soil at one time, prompting swift objections from Beijing and press freedom groups. Under a Department of Homeland Security proposal issued in August and now open for public comment, Washington would cap the stay of mainland Chinese journalists at 90 days per entry, with the option to seek additional time tied to a specific assignment. Journalists from Hong Kong and Macau, along with reporters from other countries, would be limited to 240 days.
The plan represents a dramatic break from the past system for the I visa category for foreign media. Previously, many journalists could hold status and extend permission to work for up to five years, so long as they stayed employed and followed U.S. law. The proposed shift to a firm 90-day limit for mainland Chinese nationals would compress reporting timelines and add frequent renewal steps.
U.S. officials under President Trump describe the move as a national security measure, part of a broader push to tighten screening and reduce perceived foreign influence.
Reactions: Beijing, press groups, and media managers
Beijing has condemned the plan. Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, called it a discriminatory step and warned it risks triggering a new round of “media warfare.” The proposal also drew strong pushback from international press groups.
- The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) say the changes would carry “catastrophic consequences for press freedom,” including the possibility of tit-for-tat rules that hit U.S. media working in China.
- CPJ and SPJ are urging Washington to reconsider during the public comment phase.
Press groups and media managers say the most immediate effect would be an operational squeeze. If DHS caps stays for mainland reporters at 90 days, newsroom leaders would need to plan coverage in three-month blocks and reserve time for extension requests. Longer-term projects—such as investigations, documentaries, or year-long beats on U.S. policy—could face interruptions if a renewal is delayed or denied.
Editors also worry that the uncertainty might encourage self-censorship, as reporters could feel pressure to avoid sensitive stories that might complicate extension requests. CPJ outlines these risks and its advocacy positions at https://cpj.org.
Policy details and how it differs from past practice
- Mainland Chinese journalists: maximum initial stay of 90 days, with the possibility to request extensions based on the length of a current assignment.
- Journalists from Hong Kong, Macau, and all other countries: 240-day limit per entry, with extension options tied to assignment length.
- Previous I visa practice: Up to five years of status, extended based on employment and compliance.
- Status: The rule is in the public comment phase in early September 2025; a final rule is expected later this year.
- Practical hurdles: The U.S. Embassy in China warns of processing delays due to staffing shortages and diplomatic strains.
For official information on nonimmigrant visa processing, the U.S. Embassy’s guidance is posted at its visa page for China at https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/. The State Department’s policy updates landing page is at https://www.state.gov/.
VisaVerge.com reports that the plan marks the most restrictive U.S. approach to foreign media in recent years, following a period from 2020 to 2023 when both the United States and China expelled reporters or denied visas after disputes over coverage.
Practical impacts on reporting operations
If implemented as drafted, the changes would create several operational and human costs:
- Planning and workflow:
- Newsrooms must plan coverage in shorter cycles and schedule frequent renewal filings.
- Editors should reserve staff time for extension paperwork and contingency planning.
- Reporting continuity:
- Greater risk of interrupted reporting if approvals lag, especially for breaking news or long investigations.
- Frequent exit-and-reentry cycles could break trust with sources and harm long-term beats.
- Financial and logistical burdens:
- Higher travel and housing costs if journalists must leave and re-enter due to gaps.
- Pressure to rely more on freelancers or short-term contractors to maintain coverage.
- Editorial independence:
- Possibility of self-censorship if reporters fear an extension denial linked to sensitive reporting.
SPJ’s materials and position statements are available at https://www.spj.org/.
Extension process, unanswered questions, and timeline
Under the draft rule, mainland Chinese journalists could seek extensions tied to the length of their assignment. However:
- DHS has not published the criteria officers will use to decide those extensions.
- The State Department has not released guidance on how consular posts will handle edge cases—such as rolling investigations or evolving long-term beats.
- Journalists from Hong Kong, Macau, and other countries would face a uniform 240-day limit per entry, aligning them with the global standard proposed for non-Chinese reporters.
- The U.S. Embassy in China has flagged staffing shortages and ongoing tensions that could slow case processing, potentially causing delays even before the rule takes effect.
As drafted, the likely steps for mainland Chinese journalists would include:
1. Apply for an I visa with a 90-day maximum initial stay.
2. Submit extension requests linked to assignment length, explaining why work must continue in the United States.
3. Undergo heightened security reviews, which may prolong adjudication.
4. Prepare for possible consular delays, as the embassy has cautioned applicants.
Officials expect a final rule to be published by late 2025, barring major revisions. Media lawyers recommend that news organizations:
– Build internal calendars assuming tighter stays.
– Buffer time for extensions and set up backup staffing plans.
– Maintain clear, well-documented assignment letters detailing timelines, locations, and deliverables to support extension requests once DHS releases criteria.
Broader context: “visa weaponization” and reciprocity concerns
The policy sits within wider tightening of U.S. immigration controls affecting Chinese nationals, with increased scrutiny reported for F student visas and J cultural exchange visas. U.S. officials argue shorter stays and assignment checks make it easier to address security concerns and ensure reciprocity with countries that limit access for American press.
Critics counter that a 90-day clock for mainland journalists is excessively tight and could invite retaliation, further shrinking U.S. media access in China. Chinese officials say the proposal is unjust and signals a one-sided approach to media access, warning that Beijing may respond with its own tighter limits and enforcement.
Analysts and rights groups use the term “visa weaponization” to describe how entry rules are used as leverage in diplomatic standoffs. In the media space, this pattern risks shrinking access on both sides. U.S. officials cite past expulsions and denials by China as justification. Rights groups argue that the solution to restrictive behavior abroad should be consistent, fair access for all foreign journalists working under U.S. law, rather than tighter caps at home.
“Openness benefits the public,” argue press freedom organizations. They say reporters from any country should be able to cover U.S. institutions and society without facing a countdown that resets every quarter.
U.S. officials reply that the cap helps protect national interests. The coming months will show whether the administration makes room for adjustments that keep security aims in place while reducing disruption for working journalists on all sides.
What’s next and how to respond
- The rule is in a public comment period now. Newsrooms, advocacy groups, and affected reporters can submit feedback before the final rule is issued.
- CPJ and SPJ plan to lobby for changes that remove the harshest parts of the plan or, at minimum, set clear, fair standards for assignment-based extensions.
- If Washington moves ahead largely unchanged, many expect Beijing to answer in kind, increasing hurdles for American journalists working in China and adding to a cycle both sides say they do not want.
Key resources:
– U.S. Embassy visa guidance for China: https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/
– CPJ: https://cpj.org
– SPJ: https://www.spj.org/
– State Department updates: https://www.state.gov/
The clock is ticking on the comment period. How renewal decisions are applied in practice—whether extensions become routine for legitimate, ongoing assignments or vary widely—will determine the policy’s real impact on journalism and on U.S.-China media relations.
This Article in a Nutshell
The Department of Homeland Security’s August 2025 proposal would cap mainland Chinese journalists’ initial stays at 90 days per entry, with extension requests tied to specific assignments; Hong Kong, Macau and other journalists would face 240-day limits. The change departs from past I-visa practice that permitted status renewals for up to five years. U.S. officials justify the measure on national security and reciprocity grounds; Beijing called it discriminatory and warned of retaliation. Press-freedom groups warn of operational disruption, higher costs, interrupted investigations and potential self-censorship. Key unknowns include extension criteria and adjudication timelines; the rule is in public comment now, with a final rule expected by late 2025. Newsrooms are advised to plan shorter coverage cycles, document assignments carefully, and build contingency staffing for possible delays or denials.
