The U.S. State Department has ordered embassies and consulates worldwide to halt new student visa appointments as it prepares to expand social media vetting for all applicants. A diplomatic cable reveals that this pause will remain in place until updated guidance is issued, potentially impacting thousands of international students.
Signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the cable states that a review is underway into current screening processes for student and exchange visitor visas (F, M, J categories). The move follows a series of Trump administration actions targeting international students, including the recent revocation of multiple student visas and a controversial attempt to block foreign students from attending Harvard.
While some visa applicants have already been subject to social media checks particularly over concerns of antisemitism this proposed expansion could dramatically slow down processing times. The cable warns that broader vetting could place heavy demands on consular staff and disrupt visa operations globally.
Effective immediately, embassies have been told not to open new appointment slots and to cancel any unused slots already posted. However, appointments that were already scheduled will proceed. The State Department has not yet publicly commented on the decision.
