• 28 May, 2025
• Faith Kegh
• comments off

US Temporarily Halts New Student Visa Interviews: What It Means.

The Trump administration has directed US embassies to temporarily stop scheduling new visa int

erviews for international students and exchange visitors, according to a leaked internal memo.

The pause, ordered by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is part of a planned expansion of social media screening for visa applicants under F, M, and J categories — the primary visa types for students, exchange scholars, and vocational trainees.

    What’s Changing?

The State Department has instructed its consulates worldwide to halt new appointments for student and exchange visitor visa interviews. The pause is intended to allow the agency to review and potentially enhance its vetting processes, especially regarding applicants’ social media use.

Most international students enter the US on F-1 visas. J-1 visas are used for academic exchange programs like Fulbright, while M-1 visas apply to vocational training.

A US official told the press that the suspension does not affect applicants who already have interviews scheduled. However, there is no timeline for when new interviews might resume.

    Government Position

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce did not directly confirm the memo but said the US would use “every tool” available to evaluate those seeking entry.

    Impact on Students

It’s unclear how many students will be affected. Most US universities make admissions decisions by March or April, and students typically apply for visas afterward. Processing can take weeks or months. The US allows F-1 visas to be issued up to a year in advance of a program’s start date, but students can only enter 30 days before classes begin.

The effect on current students needing visa renewals is also uncertain. While student visas are generally valid for up to five years, many graduate students—especially PhD candidates—require renewals during their studies.

    Who Studies in the US?

The US hosted a record 1.13 million international students during the 2023–2024 academic year, according to the Open Doors report. Nearly 72% were from Asia, with India and China leading at 331,602 and 277,398 students, respectively. South Korea followed with over 43,000 students. Europe contributed around 90,600 students.

    Top US Universities for International Students

New York University had the largest number of international students (27,247), followed by Northeastern University (21,023) and Columbia University (20,321). Other institutions like Harvard, Yale, and the University of Rochester also have high percentages of international enrollment. Harvard, for example, has 6,800 international students — roughly 27% of its student body.

    Background to the Decision

The move comes amid increasing scrutiny of international students, particularly those who have expressed solidarity with Palestinians. Some students have reported visa revocations linked to their public or online political expressions.

In one case, Columbia University PhD candidate Ranjani Srinivasan had her visa revoked despite it being valid until 2029. She believes it was due to her support for Palestinian rights expressed on social media and in signed statements, though she was not involved in formal protest groups.

     Broader Context

This visa suspension is part of broader efforts by the Trump administration to tighten oversight of higher education institutions and restrict entry to individuals viewed as politically opposed to its policies.

The long-term implications for universities, students, and US global educational standing remain to be seen.

Faith Kegh

Content & Editorial Manager – Leads the creation, review, and publication of high-quality news and media content. She ensures that all editorial work reflects the organization’s standards of accuracy, professionalism, and relevance, while also engaging and informing the audience.

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