US suspends student visa interview schedule, international students seek solutions

On May 28, The Guardian reported that the US State Department has ordered a temporary halt to all new interview appointments for student and exchange visas (F, M, J) at US embassies and consulates worldwide.

Students learn about the US study abroad market at an event organized by the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: TRONG NHAN

The reason is to prepare for the expansion of mandatory social media checks for all applicants. According to a leaked diplomatic cable, consular offices were told not to add any appointments until further instructions were issued.

European redirection?

Faced with the new information, on the morning of May 28, Ms. Tuong Vy ( Dong Nai ) was worried. Her younger sibling, a 9th grader, is preparing to go to the US to study on a J1 visa, to do a one-year cultural exchange in Idaho. Her younger sister already has a J1 visa, preparing to go to the US in August 2025. According to the original plan, if the study process is stable, the family will continue to send her to high school in the US, applying for an F1 visa.

However, in the current context, Ms. Vy is not sure whether her sister will be able to apply for an F1 visa after her J1 visa expires. The family is considering switching to France if the policy continues to tighten.

"My family has relatives in France and there are also study programs in English or only require A2 level of French for interviews," said Ms. Vy.

Ms. Vy also commented that studying in the US is more expensive than in many other developed countries. If visa policies continue to change in a tightening direction, this could affect the plans of many families as well as reduce the access opportunities for capable students from many countries.

"My sister may not fully understand the policy changes yet, but the family is proactively researching and preparing necessary scenarios," she said.

BG (32 years old, Ho Chi Minh City) is preparing to study MBA at Arizona State University, and is considering switching to the Netherlands if he cannot get a US student visa. Instead of being tied to one destination, BG is currently expanding his search for a number of backup markets, one of the options being the Netherlands.

Although he still appreciates the quality ofeducation , especially in the technology field in the US, G. believes that balancing learning opportunities with safety and stability in life is not an easy trade-off.

"Learning is a lifelong story, so choosing an environment that suits your life values ​​and long-term orientation is more important than chasing rankings," G. said.

Time to review study abroad plans

In response to the news that all F1 visa interviews will be suspended from May 28, Mr. Pham Hoang Phuc - Director of Admissions in Vietnam of Kaplan Education Group - said that this is the right time for students and parents to review their study abroad plans instead of panicking.

According to Mr. Phuc, for students studying in the US, what they need to do is check the current visa validity. "If the visa is still valid, you can still return home to visit your family and then return to normal.

But if your visa has expired or is about to expire, it is best to stay in the US during this time to avoid the risk of not being able to return without being able to apply for a new visa," Mr. Phuc recommended.

For students preparing to go to the US, Mr. Phuc emphasized that pausing the interview does not mean that their study abroad plans are ruined.

He advised students to continue to complete the steps they can: fill out the DS-160 form, pay the visa fee, prepare their academic documents. "This is just a short-term procedural disruption, not a long-term policy change," he said.

Ms. Vi Le - consultant at FIGO Group - believes that diversifying destinations is necessary in the current context. For example, among English-speaking countries, New Zealand is a destination that maintains a positive visa policy, a stable education system and clear opportunities to stay and work.

For example, the fields lacking human resources in the "Green List" such as information technology, engineering - construction, agricultural science, natural science, social work and veterinary medicine... help students easily access internship and work opportunities while still studying and also expand their prospects for settlement after graduation.

Meanwhile, developed countries in Europe are also another option worth considering. In addition, part-time study abroad programs and on-site study abroad programs in Vietnam are also a safe and economical way to go during the visa fluctuation period.

"Control of international students"

According to the Washington Post, this move is part of a campaign to tighten control over international students, especially targeting those believed to have anti-Israel or pro-Palestinian views.

The Trump administration has launched a "Catch and Revoke" program that uses artificial intelligence to scan international students' social media activity for content deemed pro-Hamas or anti-Semitic, and revoke visas.

According to Reuters, American universities, especially those with high proportions of international students like Harvard, are under great pressure.

Harvard has had its international admissions certificate temporarily revoked by the US Department of Homeland Security, affecting nearly 6,800 of the school's international students. However, a federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order on the decision.

Even if you fall, still wait

Le Trong Huu, a candidate preparing to study the MBA-STEM program at Illinois State University, said he is currently in the waiting phase to prepare for his F1 visa application but does not know if he will get his visa in time for the August intake.

"I can't be sure if I can interview and receive my visa on time, otherwise I might have to postpone my studies to next spring," Huu shared.

However, Huu said he is still determined to wait. He is currently working for an American company and believes that an American education will bring many long-term values.

"I will still wait because I want to study in the right environment and in the right major that I have chosen. For me, studying in the US is still the most suitable choice, even if I have to wait a few more months," Huu said.

International students are also insecure.

Not only Vietnamese students, the wave of tightening the visa approval process for studying in the US is also causing anxiety for the international student community from many other countries.

In India, which has the second-largest number of students studying in the US, many students and their parents have expressed concern that their visas could be affected by social media content. According to Pgurus, some who have participated in or shared posts related to Palestinian protests are worried about having their visas denied or revoked.

Inside George Mason University (Virginia, USA). This is a school with Vietnamese students as well as students from other countries - Photo: HA BINH

A similar situation is emerging among Chinese students, who fear that checking social media is an invasion of privacy and could impact freedom of speech. Many students here are considering moving to countries like Canada or European nations with more stable visa policies.

Not only students, but also American universities are strongly reacting. According to Wikipedia, more than 200 educational institutions, including Harvard, MIT and Yale, have signed an open letter protesting the increased surveillance and deportation of international students, and asking the administration to reconsider the new measures.

Some schools worry that the rules will reduce America's appeal as a global talent pool.

Meanwhile, according to The PIE News, international education experts advise that students should calmly follow official information from embassies, and carefully review personal social media content to avoid falling into sensitive situations.

Careful preparation of academic documents and flexibility in considering alternative destinations such as Canada, New Zealand, the Netherlands or Germany are also encouraged to ensure that study plans are not disrupted.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/my-dung-lich-phong-van-visa-du-hoc-du-hoc-sinh-tim-huong-xu-ly-20250528231818165.htm