U.S. Suspends Student Visa Appointments Worldwide Amid Plans for Expanded Social Media Vetting

In a sweeping policy shift that could reshape global academic mobility, the U.S. State Department has indefinitely suspended all new student visa appointments across its embassies and consulates worldwide. The move, confirmed in an internal diplomatic cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is reportedly aimed at implementing a more stringent vetting process that includes expanded social media screening for all student visa applicants.

This suspension affects all F, M, and J visa categories used for academic, vocational, and exchange programs putting the educational plans of thousands of international students in limbo. While existing appointments will be honored, no new bookings are being accepted until further notice.

The policy shift comes as part of a broader review of visa screening procedures under the Trump administration, with a focus on tightening national security measures through deeper analysis of applicants’ digital footprints. The new rules will require student visa applicants to provide comprehensive information about their social media presence over the past five years, including usernames across major platforms.

Critics argue that this level of surveillance not only raises privacy concerns but also threatens to deter international students, who contribute significantly to the U.S. economy and intellectual landscape. According to NAFSA: Association of International Educators, international students contributed nearly $38 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023 alone.

Universities have voiced concerns about the implications of the pause. “This could seriously impact fall admissions,” said Dr. Lauren Hastings, Dean of International Programs at Columbia University. “We rely on a steady stream of diverse talent from across the globe, and sudden changes like this disrupt both planning and trust.”

Proponents within the administration argue that expanded vetting is essential to safeguarding national interests. “We are not banning students,” a senior State Department official noted anonymously. “We are simply ensuring that those coming to the U.S. for educational purposes do not pose a security risk.”

The pause follows recent tensions over visa policies, including the cancellation of several student visas and reported attempts to bar certain foreign students from enrolling in elite institutions such as Harvard University—moves that were temporarily blocked by court orders.

There is currently no timeline for when the new guidelines will be finalized or when student visa processing will resume. In the meantime, students, educational institutions, and immigration attorneys worldwide are left in uncertainty, watching closely as the policy unfolds.