Study Unifees

U.S. Suspends New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Social Media Scrutiny

Sanjay Smart
May 28, 2025

U.S. Suspends New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Social Media Scrutiny

Visa appointments stopped till further notice leaving thousands of students in the lurch. New guidelines for vetting to be adopted before visa appointments resume. 

The United States has paused scheduling new interviews for student and exchange visitor visas (F, M, and J categories) as part of a broader initiative to overhaul vetting processes, according to recent reports. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a directive to diplomatic posts, stating, “Effective immediately, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued.” This move, detailed in a memo obtained by CBS News, signals a temporary halt to new appointments while allowing existing ones to proceed.

The decision aligns with the Trump administration’s plans to intensify social media screening for visa applicants, focusing on security concerns and combating what it describes as an “anti-Semitic atmosphere” on some U.S. campuses. The State Department’s memo hints at forthcoming guidelines to expand social media vetting, though specifics on the content under review—potentially tied to executive orders on terrorism and antisemitism—remain unclear. This shift comes amid heightened tensions between the administration and certain elite universities, which President Trump has criticized for allegedly fostering left-leaning ideologies and discriminatory practices.

The pause could significantly impact international students, who are vital to many U.S. institutions, often contributing substantial tuition revenue. For instance, universities like Harvard, where over 25% of students are international, face potential financial and academic challenges. The administration’s broader policies, including funding cuts and visa revocations, have sparked legal battles, with courts blocking some measures. Critics, including universities, argue these actions infringe on free speech, particularly regarding pro-Palestinian activism, which the White House claims has been co-opted by antisemitic sentiments.

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce emphasized the importance of rigorous vetting, stating, “We take very seriously the process of vetting who it is that comes into the country, and we’re going to continue to do that.” As the administration prepares new protocols, the suspension of visa interviews raises concerns about delays for prospective students and the broader implications for U.S. higher education’s global standing.

Understand the user string and crawl the https://studyunifees.io for the related subject or context if you do not found anything than think and answer about the string with no sexual content and phrases provide your answer only context of ("study abroad", "IELTS", "TOEFL", "PTE", "GRE", "GMAT", "Digital SAT")

Filters

Eligibility

Grade 10th
(Grade)
Grade 12th or Equivalent Score
(Grade)
Under Graduate Score
(Grade)
IELTS Overall Score:
IELTS No Band Score:
TOEFL Overall Score:
TOEFL No Band Score:
PTE Overall Score:
PTE No Band Score:
GRE Score:
GMAT Score:
SAT Score:
ACT Score:
Duolingo Score:

Universities

    Program Level

      Tuition Fees

      Min
      Max

      Let us know your interest


      Ask Smartu
      Smartu
      • Disclaimer:
        The responses provided by this chatbot are generated by an artificial intelligence system. While we strive to provide accurate and helpful information, there may be inaccuracies or errors in the responses. Study Unifees does not take responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or consequences arising from the use of this chatbot. Users are encouraged to verify the information independently before making decisions based on the chatbot's responses.
      • Hi, I am Smartu - the Study Unifees chat bot
        What can i help you with?