US Suspends Student Visa Appointments and Plans To Expand Immigration Vetting
The United States has temporarily halted new student visa interview appointments at its embassies and consulates worldwide, while also preparing to introduce expanded social media vetting for international applicants. This move could significantly affect immigration and the ability of foreign students to study in the US.
According to an official memo issued by the State Department, embassies have been instructed to cancel all unfilled appointments for student and exchange visitor visas until further notice. Applicants with existing appointments will still be processed, but no new interviews are currently being scheduled.
The policy shift is part of a broader crackdown by the Trump administration on international students and academic institutions, with implications that go beyond education and directly impact US immigration policy. The memo notes that expanded screening will focus on students' online activity, although it does not clarify specific criteria. The Department of Homeland Security has previously said it may consider antisemitic or threatening content on social media grounds for denying visa or immigration benefits.
This development is expected to affect thousands of international students, including a significant number from China, India, and other countries with traditionally high rates of US student visa approvals. China has called on the US to respect and protect the rights of international students, many of whom face uncertainty about whether they’ll be allowed to study in the US this fall.
Foreign students are typically required to attend in-person visa interviews in their home countries, a process that is now paused. Immigration experts warn that the policy could create a bottleneck in visa processing, discourage international applicants, and deter global talent from choosing the US as a destination for higher education and future employment.
This is not the first immigration-related action targeting international students. The Trump administration has already attempted to revoke thousands of student visas, freeze university funding, and restrict international student enrollments — measures that have faced legal challenges in federal courts.
The expanded social media screening further raises concerns about privacy, free speech, and the increasing use of digital footprints in immigration decision-making. Critics argue that it could have a chilling effect on international applicants who fear misinterpretation of online content or political expression.
The impact on universities is also likely to be severe. Many top US institutions rely heavily on the tuition revenue and research contributions of international students. At Harvard University — where over 25% of students are from overseas — recent federal actions have already led to a freeze of over $2.65 billion in funding and a short-lived suspension of its ability to host foreign students and researchers. That policy has since been blocked in court, but the uncertainty remains.
For now, international students hoping to study in the US face a growing list of hurdles: paused visa processing, increased surveillance of online activity, and political scrutiny that threatens their ability to access education and immigration opportunities.
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Over the past 6+ years, with IaM, and working in the travel and immigration sector, Charlie has authored 200+ in-depth guides on Schengen, UK visas & other destinations they have relocated 1,000+ families safely through the system. A Clockwork Practitioner, Charlie also works hard to streamline operations and adheres to the mantra "Task Clients Well".
When they’re not translating policy into plain English, you’ll find them scouting new destinations, collecting local stories, and mastering a new language to better serve our global community.
