WASHINGTON (Kyodo) -- The United States is on course to shorten the duration of visas for foreign students and journalists as early as September, a government notice said Thursday, in another reflection of President Donald Trump's tightening of immigration rules.

According to the Department of Homeland Security's notice, holders of the student and exchange visas would, in principle, be restricted to a stay of up to four years, while journalist visas would not exceed 240 days, with Chinese nationals in this category limited to 90 days on U.S. soil.

The department's new rules would apply to F visas for international students, J visas for visitors allowed to participate in exchange programs and I visas for members of the media.

If all goes smoothly, the effective date of the regulations will be 60 days after the notice becomes official, which is on Friday.

"For nearly half a century, the outdated 'duration of status' system has compromised national security and created an environment ripe for immigration fraud," Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a statement.

Claiming that thousands of foreign students have abused the U.S. immigration system, Mullin said, "By implementing clear, finite limits on these visas, the United States is reclaiming its ability to properly screen, vet and monitor individuals within our borders."

There were some 1.8 million F-status admissions in fiscal 2024, up more than 11 percent from the previous fiscal year, according to the department.

Under the rules, even though admission would be granted for a fixed duration, holders of the F, J and I visas would be able to apply for extensions beyond the initial periods.

But the time permitted for nonimmigrant students to prepare to depart, transfer to another school or change their status after graduation will be reduced to 30 days from the current 60 days.

In the notice, the department said the new rules will "provide additional protections and oversight of these nonimmigrant categories," enabling the agency to better examine whether such visa holders are fulfilling the conditions for a temporary stay in the United States.

In the final months of Trump's first term in 2020, the United States sought similar changes. But the initial proposal, which met fierce opposition from higher education and many other institutions, was abandoned the following year by the administration of then President Joe Biden.