Trump administration to tighten restrictions on some Chinese visas

The Trump administration is expected to impose new limitations on some visas given to Chinese citizens entering the U.S.

A State Department official confirmed to The Hill on Tuesday that the new security measures will go into effect beginning June 11. 

“Although the large majority of visas issued to Chinese nationals are issued for the maximum validity, consular officers may limit the validity of visas on a case-by-case basis, as appropriate to the circumstances of each case,” the official said.

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The changes are part of the national security strategy that attempts to prevent U.S. intellectual property from being transferred to competitors, the official said, without offering more specifics.

The new policies were first reported by The Associated Press.

Officials told the AP that the instructions sent to U.S. embassies and consulates call for Chinese graduate students studying fields like robotics, aviation and high-technology manufacturing to receive visas valid only for one year.

Such areas of study were marked as priorities by China’s “Made in China” 2025 manufacturing plan, according to the AP.

President Trump had said that such changes could happen in a national security strategy issued in December.

Chinese citizens seeking visas who work as researchers or managers for specific companies flagged by the U.S. Commerce Department will need special clearance from a number of U.S. agencies, according to the AP.

The State Department said the visa application process won’t change. However, an official told the AP that clearances are expected to take months.

The new policies come as Trump renews his threat to place 25 percent tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese goods.