Washington, D.C., May 28, 2025 – The Europe Today: The U.S. Department of State has temporarily halted the scheduling of new visa interviews for foreign students and exchange visitors as it prepares to implement expanded social media screening measures, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
A senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, clarified that the suspension does not affect applicants who already have scheduled visa interviews. The measure, described as temporary, comes amid preparations for new guidance on enhanced vetting procedures.
According to a diplomatic cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and obtained by The Associated Press, consular offices worldwide have been instructed to pause adding new appointment slots for student and exchange visitor visas. “Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consulate sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor visa appointment capacity until the guidance is issued,” the cable states.
Responding to media inquiries during a briefing, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce underscored the U.S. government’s commitment to rigorous vetting procedures. “We will continue to use every tool we can to assess who it is that’s coming here, whether they are students or otherwise,” Bruce said.
The move marks the latest action in the Trump administration’s tightening of immigration and visa regulations, particularly concerning international students. Just last week, the administration revoked Harvard University’s certification to enroll foreign students under the federal student visa sponsorship program—a decision that was swiftly challenged in court and subsequently blocked by a federal judge.
Earlier this year, thousands of international students residing in the United States had their legal status revoked, prompting many to leave the country amid fears of deportation. Although some students successfully contested the revocations in court and had their status reinstated, the administration has since broadened the criteria for future visa terminations.
Expanded vetting of visa applicants’ social media profiles, first introduced during President Donald Trump’s previous administration, remained in place under President Joe Biden and is now poised for further intensification.
Education experts and university administrators have expressed concern that a prolonged suspension of new student visa appointments could lead to enrollment disruptions for international students planning to begin programs in the upcoming summer and fall academic terms. Such a decline could also pose financial challenges for many U.S. educational institutions that rely on tuition revenue from international students to offset cuts in federal research funding.
