US to reschedule visa interviews for Vietnamese students

The information was shared by the US Mission in Vietnam, two days after the US announced that it would resume student visa interviews after more than three weeks of suspension.

Latest announcement from the US Embassy in Hanoi and the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City

PHOTO: SCREENSHOT

On the evening of June 20, on their official social media pages, the US Embassy in Hanoi and the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City simultaneously posted the news "preparing for re-interviews and reviewing applications for student visas and exchange programs", i.e. F, M and J visas. The agency also noted that applicants need to ensure that the social media accounts declared in the student visa application must be set to "public".

"This helps verify your identity and eligibility for entry under US law. You will be denied a visa if you lack this information," the notice explained, while also advising applicants to be honest when declaring information, carefully checking their student visa application, and ensuring all information is correct before submitting it to the consular department.

"Updates on interview appointments and visa extensions will be announced soon," the agency added.

Previously, on June 18, the US State Department requested diplomatic agencies abroad to review the social media accounts of all foreign students applying for visas to study in the US, according to Politico . Accordingly, consular officers will check the applicant's online presence to look for "signs of hostility to the people, culture, government , institutions or fundamental principles of the United States".

As Thanh Nien reported, the US has temporarily stopped issuing student visa interview appointments globally, including Vietnam, since May 28. This has caused confusion for many families, as this is the peak season for students to apply for US student visas to prepare for admission in the fall semester. Previously, on June 10, many people said they had successfully registered for student visa interview appointments at the US Embassy in Hanoi, but shortly after, they suddenly received cancellation notices.

Vietnamese parents and students attend the student visa application guidance session organized by the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City in 2024

PHOTO: NGOC LONG

According to statistics from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in 2023, there were 31,310 Vietnamese studying in the US, ranking 6th in the number of international students. This is the first time the number of Vietnamese studying in the US has reached more than 30,000 after 2 years below 30,000. However, if we consider the number of students in schools from kindergarten to high school, Vietnam is the 5th largest with 3,187 people, behind China, South Korea, Mexico and Spain.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/my-sap-cap-lai-lich-phong-van-visa-du-hoc-tai-viet-nam-sau-khi-tam-dung-185250620205332086.htm