On May 27, 2025, the US State Department, under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, sent a directive to all US embassies and consulates to halt the scheduling of new interviews for student and exchange visitor visas (F, M, and J categories). This decision is in preparation for expanded social media vetting of applicants.
Key Points:
-
Effective Immediately: No new student or exchange visitor visa interview slots are to be added until further instructions are issued.
-
Pending Guidelines: New procedures will involve increased screening of applicants’ social media activity. The exact details are not yet disclosed.
-
Policy Motivation: The cable references goals such as preventing terrorism and fighting antisemitism, though no specifics are given.
Potential Impact:
-
The halt affects the critical May–August visa processing period, when 70% of US student visas were issued in 2024.
-
This delay could seriously disrupt students’ plans to begin studies in Fall 2025 and harm universities financially, as many rely on international students.
Response from Higher Education Sector:
Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, criticized the move:
“International students are already heavily vetted. This selective policy wastes resources and delays the visa process unnecessarily. It also undermines the US’s reputation as a welcoming place for global talent.”
Advice for Students:
NAFSA and immigration advisory service Boundless recommend:
-
Be mindful of your social media content—even deleted posts could be reviewed.
-
Use strict privacy settings and avoid unknown friend requests.
-
Understand what US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can access from your devices:
Uncertain Timeline:
There’s no indication of when the pause will be lifted. Many fear it could create long-term visa processing backlogs, damaging the appeal of US institutions for international students.