US Embassy in Vietnam: 'Visa applications may resume'

On May 28, in response to the news that the US had instructed its embassies and consulates to stop scheduling new appointments for applicants for student visas and exchange program visas, speaking to VietNamNet reporter, US Embassy in Vietnam spokesman Cameron Thomas-Shah said, " The State Department does not comment on internal communications ."

However, Mr Cameron Thomas-Shah said that visa applicants can still continue to submit their applications. "Consular departments are constantly adjusting their schedules to ensure that there is enough time to thoroughly review previous cases," he said.

"Shock" for international students

In response to the new move by the Trump administration, MSc. Lu Thi Hong Nham, Director of Duc Anh Study Abroad Consulting Company, said that this is a “big shock” for US study abroad candidates, because in reality, at this time, only a few students have had time to get a US study visa. Others have only recently received an admission letter (I-20) and have not yet scheduled an interview. In addition, many students are waiting for US universities to issue I-20 forms…

You can continue to apply for a visa. (Illustration photo)

“The US government’s suspension of visa interviews and the lack of a clear date for reopening them puts students and their families at risk of completely disrupting their study plans in the US, which have been carefully prepared for many years,” said Ms. Nham.

As the person who directly advises and supports students, Ms. Nham said that on the morning of May 28, she received many calls expressing concerns and worries from parents and students. Ms. Nham reassured families that the US government highly values serious international students with good records and who do not make controversial statements online.

"This is a way for the US government to review the process and criteria for reviewing applications and issuing student visas," said Ms. Nham, who believes that the interview schedule will soon reopen.

At this point, Ms. Nham said, international students do not need to worry too much. In case an interview has been scheduled in advance, they can stay calm and prepare carefully to continue as originally planned.

For the remaining cases, it is necessary to calmly wait for further instructions from the US government and schools, always monitor information for timely updates. At the same time, students can take advantage of this time to review visa applications, practice interviews, control their social networking sites and be ready to apply when the interview schedule reopens.

If the US is not the only destination, parents and students can consider learning about another learning environment with economic, political , and policy stability, many priorities for international students, etc. as option 2.

Meanwhile, Ms. ND, who works at a study abroad center in Ho Chi Minh City, positively views the US move as just a change in the review process, starting a period of adjustment, screening, and evaluation of visa applicants, so it may take more time. This is not to “make things difficult” for international students but to “clarify”.

At this time, Ms. D. believes that the best thing students can do is to stay updated with the situation, stay prepared, and not be subjective with things that seem to be "still the same".

“Those who are preparing their documents should continue, those who are still hesitant should follow closely. The policy may be suspended but the plan is still there,” said Ms. D.

Regarding the US expanding its review of international students' social networks to tighten security and control political views, study abroad centers all believe that students should not delete their social network accounts because this could be interpreted as "hiding information".

However, you can self-censor yourself on social media, ensuring that there are no sensitive or controversial posts or statements related to politics, violence, discrimination or expressing negative attitudes towards the country.

(Source: Vietnamnet)

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/dai-su-quan-my-tai-viet-nam-co-the-tiep-tuc-nop-ho-so-xin-thi-thuc-ar945815.html