US Temporarily Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Planned Social Media Screening Expansion

Embassies directed to pause scheduling appointments for F, M, and J visas

The United States government has issued a directive to its embassies and consular offices worldwide to halt the scheduling of new interviews for student and exchange visitor visa applicants, according to a recent internal communication reported by Politico. The pause applies to F, M, and J visa categories and is reportedly part of preparations for a broader rollout of mandatory social media screening for foreign students.

The directive, which was attributed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and dated Tuesday, instructs consular staff to withhold adding new appointment capacity for student visa applicants until further notice. The US State Department is expected to issue additional guidance in the coming days. The measure signals a considerable shift from current procedures, where visa applicants are already asked to provide their social media handles on the DS-160 form, but do not undergo comprehensive social media background checks as a standard step.

Screening linked to national security and protest participation concerns

Although the exact scope of the proposed social media vetting was not detailed in the cable, it reportedly referenced executive orders tied to national security and efforts to counter antisemitism. Sources suggest the initiative may aim to flag applicants based on their digital activity, potentially including posts related to international conflicts or protest participation. This follows previous scrutiny of students allegedly involved in demonstrations related to the conflict in Gaza.

The move has sparked concerns among diplomatic officials, many of whom have expressed uncertainty over the criteria and consistency of past guidance on such matters. Officials have reportedly questioned how certain social media expressions—such as displaying political symbols—might impact visa eligibility.

The development comes at a time when India has emerged as the top source of international students to the US, surpassing China with over 331,000 Indian students currently enrolled in American institutions. Meanwhile, the US Embassy has reiterated the importance of students maintaining their visa compliance to avoid revocation or future ineligibility.