Is studying in the US 'narrow door'?

Some recent changes in the US have made many Vietnamese families hesitant when their children choose to study abroad in this country. However, according to experts, schools still maintain stable admission and scholarship policies.

Studying in the US is becoming the center of attention when the Trump administration recently instructed the country's diplomatic missions around the world to temporarily suspend scheduling interviews for student and exchange visas (types F, M, J) until further guidance is issued in the next few days. The US is also expected to issue guidance on expanding social media account checks to all applicants for the above visa types.

Many families are worried

This information follows a series of recent events in the US, such as the revocation of many student visas, cuts in funding for universities, and most recently, the federal government's conflict with Harvard University.

These developments have made TM, a 12th grade student at a high school in Ho Chi Minh City, worried, especially since she has been accepted to a school in the US and is preparing to apply for a student visa in June. "The thing I worry about most is that the visa approval process is tightened or I cannot schedule a visa interview in time, leading to a postponement of the semester, which will directly affect my graduation time. The school in the US has not sent any new notice yet. If I am affected, I will probably consider changing to another country," the female student said.

NV, a third-year student studying at an American university, shared the same concern when he returned to Vietnam to prepare documents to extend his student visa because his residency was about to expire. V. said he was seeking support from a study abroad company and the entire process was being done by mail, so he did not need to schedule an appointment for a direct interview with a consular officer.

Vietnamese parents and students interact directly with representatives of American universities at a study abroad seminar. In 2023, there were 31,310 Vietnamese studying in the US, ranking 6th in the number of international students.

PHOTO: NGOC LONG

"Although the support company assured me that nothing would happen, I was very worried that there would be any problems. Recently, I also had to change my Facebook profile picture to make my account look more real," the employee confided.

Meanwhile, a parent said she was worried about what to do when her child’s Optional Practical Training (OPT) residency expired in just a few days. Unfortunately, she failed the H-1B lottery despite being sponsored by a company in the US, so her child was forced to continue his studies and has now been accepted to another university, with the enrollment period starting this August.

"Suddenly, the visa interview appointment suspension happened. Now I don't know whether to advise my child to go home or stay. The school and all of my child's friends are preventing him from going home because they say that going home at this time is very "dangerous" because he will have to reapply for a new student visa. However, if he doesn't go home, I'm afraid he will be residing illegally and won't be able to work for the next few months," this parent wondered.

STAY CALM AND TAKE THE PROACTIVE TO FIND ALTERNATIVES

Speaking to Thanh Nien , directors of many study abroad companies in Vietnam said they could not schedule student visa interviews at both the US Embassy in Hanoi and the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. The incident, which took place on the morning of May 28, has left many parents and students confused. On social networks, many study abroad companies have also issued notices and warnings to their customers at the present time.

Dr. Le Bao Thang, Director of OSI Vietnam International Education Consulting Company, shared that the temporary suspension of student visa appointments can be understood as a technical adjustment on the website. "Current information shows that the Trump administration is only "more careful" in checking social media accounts, which was previously announced, but has no intention of completely stopping interviews for student visas," said Mr. Thang.

There are two examples of this, according to the doctor. One is that in the past, some of his clients who applied for a US student visa extension had their applications returned because they had not "provided social media information", including account names or URL links. Applicants must fill in this information in the DS-160 form (student visa application - PV ) and resubmit it on the system, according to an email sent by the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnamese parents and students attend a study abroad seminar organized by the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City in May 2025.

PHOTO: NGOC LONG

The second proof is that yesterday morning (May 28), some of Mr. Thang's clients were still notified by the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City to reschedule their visa interview appointments. This shows that the interview and issuance of student visas in Vietnam can still take place normally and not be suspended, only the registration of student visa interview appointments is affected, according to Mr. Thang.

"International students (DHS) should not worry too much because the system will probably be back to normal in a few days. What you need to do now is review your social media accounts and "clean up" if necessary," Dr. Thang advised.

Also related to this issue, Mr. Vu Thai An, Director of GLINT Study Abroad Company, said that on the morning of May 28, the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City had a period of suspension for "administrative processing". However, shortly after, the applicants were able to line up again and go for interviews as usual, including those applying for student visas.

Thus, "pre-booked appointments will continue," the director noted, citing actual information from customer accounts and operations at the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. Meanwhile, for those who have not yet scheduled a visa interview, all available slots have been removed, according to Mr. An.

According to Mr. An, the move to temporarily suspend the issuance of interview schedules for student visas is "part of a larger plan to tighten DHS's background checks, including the review of applicants' social media." The immediate issuance and application of this order has affected thousands of DHS around the world, including many in Vietnam, according to Mr. An.

"This decision has serious implications, especially for those who have been planning to study in the US this coming fall," said Mr. An. Because, up to now, the US has not provided any information about the new process or how to make an appointment, and this could cause DHS to wait longer, or worse, delay their visa application, especially when this happens right during the peak visa application season.

The appointment booking website on the morning of May 28 did not display any information, while a few days ago (right image) clearly displayed the days that could be booked.

Photo: NVCC

"Parents, students and educational institutions need to stay calm and closely monitor new developments. At the same time, always proactively seek alternative measures and solutions for the future of their children," the director advised.

Faced with this situation, Ms. Dao Nhat Mai, General Director of NEEC Study Abroad Consulting Company, advised families to prepare application documents to schools in some other backup destinations, rather than focusing all on the US.

Harvard is a special case.

Dao Thu Hien, founder of GPA Education and member of the Advisory Council at Harvard Business School, said that a federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order preventing the US government from revoking Harvard's SEVP certification. This decision helps protect the legal residency status of all international students and scholars at the school, at least for now.

"From my observation, Harvard's spirit of supporting international students is very strong. I recommend that Vietnamese students should keep in regular contact with the international student office for timely advice, as well as limit sharing sensitive personal information during the current period," Ms. Hien advised the Vietnamese community studying at Harvard University.

According to the female master, the current conflict between the US federal government and Harvard University is a "special" case, related to the war context in the Middle East and the protests that have taken place at this university and several other schools since the end of 2023. "There is currently no sign that the revocation of SEVP certification will spread to other elite universities," said Master Hien.

Dr. Le Bao Thang said that Harvard University is not the first school in the US to have its SEVP certification revoked, but it is the first prestigious school to have its certification revoked. Previously, the revocation of international admissions rights usually only happened at "ghost" schools.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/du-hoc-my-co-hep-cua-185250528221657208.htm