US tightens student visas: Flexible interview scheduling

The US Embassy in Vietnam said that student visa applicants can continue to apply.

The U.S. Embassy in Vietnam said student visa applicants can continue to apply; consular sections are constantly adjusting schedules to allow time to fully assess each case.

The announcement of a temporary suspension of US visa interview appointments in Vietnam is causing much concern. A visa support unit in Ho Chi Minh City said that in the past 2 days, it has received many calls from customers, most of whom are worried about whether to wait for a new announcement or change to study abroad in another country.

Interviews are still taking place with appointments

The representative of this unit said that the temporary suspension of accepting interview appointments for US student visas not only affects international students but also those who need to apply for tourist visas.

"Students and parents kept calling for advice, even late at night. This is the first time I've encountered such a widespread suspension of appointment scheduling," this person said.

Phuc Linh, a high school student in the US, said she plans to return to Vietnam this summer to apply for a visa extension. "If the US government does not issue a new announcement and cannot make an appointment, it means my visa cannot be extended. At that time, I do not know what to do," Linh wondered. This is also the common mentality of many international students when facing changes and unclear information related to the visa issuance process.

Although the announcement of temporary suspension of appointment scheduling is worrying, those who have previously scheduled appointments will still come for their interviews as usual. In case of visa rejection, it is due to incomplete documents or personal problems.

Excitedly stepping out of the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City on the morning of May 29, Tuan Minh - a 12th grade student at Tran Dai Nghia High School for the Gifted - said that his visa application process was quite smooth and did not take much time. This male student said that he had planned to study abroad early and was lucky to receive a scholarship from a university in California, USA. When he heard that the US government was tightening visa requirements, Minh was worried that he would lose his chance to study abroad this time.

"I made an appointment about 2 weeks ago. From the time I made the appointment to completing the procedures at the consulate, everything went quickly, similar to the process of applying for a tourist visa. The interview only took me about 1 minute," Minh said.

A representative of the admissions office of an American university in Ho Chi Minh City informed that the visa application situation in Vietnam is still developing positively compared to other countries. Universities are waiting for an official announcement from the US Consulate about reopening interview appointments.

"After the news about the US tightening visa issuance was updated in the media, some students who had previously interviewed still received visas sent home on May 28 and 29. This shows that the review process is still going on normally. I believe that the suspension of interview appointments is only a short interruption," he said.

Parents learn about studying in the US

Waiting for new announcement

Mr. Vu Thai An, Director of GLINT Study Abroad Company, said that the move to temporarily suspend scheduling interviews for US student visas is part of a larger plan to tighten background checks on international students, including reviewing the social networks of relevant parties.

According to Mr. An, the worrying thing is that the US has not yet provided any specific information about the new process or how to make an appointment in the near future. This could cause international students to wait longer, or even delay their visa applications, especially when this happens right during the peak visa application season.

Ms. Nguyen Phuong Thao, Deputy Director of the Institute of International Training - Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, said that in the past, the US student visa approval process often focused on factors such as academics, financial capacity and personal background. "The US government's additional review of international students' social media activities is to assess whether the applicants' social interactions are negative, objectionable or have any impact on the culture and security of this country," Ms. Thao said.

Responding to a reporter from Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper on May 29 regarding a request for comment on the information that the US has temporarily suspended scheduling visa interviews for foreign students, the US Embassy in Hanoi affirmed: "Visa applicants can continue to apply. Consular departments are constantly adjusting schedules to have time to fully evaluate each case. Scheduling of non-immigrant visa interview appointments is arranged flexibly. The Embassy as well as the Consulate General will process applications based on the time needed and in accordance with US law."

The US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City also said that it will provide more detailed information when there is a new announcement. According to the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, the US currently has about 30,000 Vietnamese students studying. Vietnam currently ranks 6th globally and 1st in Southeast Asia in the number of students studying in the US.

On the morning of May 29, many students still went to the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City for scheduled interviews. Photo: HUE XUAN

Hope the US creates favorable conditions for Vietnamese students and scholars

On the afternoon of May 29, at the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in response to reporters' questions, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said that the ministry and Vietnamese representative agencies in the US are working with the US side to investigate after receiving information that the Trump administration requested their embassies to stop scheduling student visa interviews.

According to Ms. Pham Thu Hang, at this time, many students from many countries, including Vietnamese students, are preparing to apply for visas to study in the US under various forms such as self-funded study abroad or scholarships.

"We hope that interviews and student visa applications for Vietnamese students will be conducted smoothly, so that education continues to be one of the key areas of cooperation in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the United States," the spokesperson said.

Regarding the question of how the Trump administration's request for international students at Harvard University to transfer to other schools affects Vietnamese students, Ms. Pham Thu Hang said: "Vietnam hopes that the US will continue to create favorable conditions for Vietnamese students, teachers, scholars and experts to participate in education and training programs in the US, including prestigious and high-quality universities, in line with the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development."

D. Ngoc

Add alternative

Study abroad consulting centers say they are actively updating information and guiding students in preparing their applications. Students being transparent about their personal information and presenting a positive, appropriate image on social media will become an indispensable part of the visa application process.

"Those who find it too difficult to apply for a US student visa can consider international joint university programs in Vietnam. This is an option that saves on tuition fees, allows you to live close to your family, and also allows you to receive an international university degree," suggested Ms. Nguyen Phuong Thao.

The Director of GLINT Study Abroad Company also believes that parents and students need to stay calm and closely monitor new developments, proactively seek alternative measures and plans for their children's future, and minimize possible risks.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/my-siet-cap-thi-thuc-du-hoc-linh-hoat-len-lich-hen-phong-van-19625052921542493.htm