US suspends issuing student visa appointments, tightens social media checks

(Dan Tri) - According to US media, the US State Department has directed all US embassies and consulates worldwide to temporarily stop issuing new appointments for the process of reviewing student visas to the US.

The move comes as the Trump administration expands measures, including social media checks for all applicants for student visas in the US, to give authorities more information about each student’s views and opinions.

According to US media, this move was officially implemented by the US Government on the morning of May 27 (US time). The person who signed the document to be sent to US embassies and consulates around the world was US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The US government is tightening its grip on international students (Photo: Politico).

This is the latest in a series of actions by the US government to tighten the admission of international students, a move that could create far-reaching changes in American highereducation .

The US State Department is reviewing its entire screening and vetting process for student and exchange visas, according to US media reports. The agency will soon issue new guidance on screening social media accounts for all visa applications in this category.

Social media checks have been used by US authorities in some cases of extremist ideology. However, expanding the application of checks on a large scale could make the visa process take longer.

American lawyer Charles Kuck specializes in handling student visa applications. Mr. Kuck commented: “This is the time when international students start applying for visas in order to start school in August. The suspension of new appointments will disrupt the international student recruitment process of many universities in the US.

The move will also hurt universities that are financially dependent on international student enrollment.”

Currently, only new appointments are being suspended, and existing appointments will remain in place. In accordance with the latest US Government requirements, embassies and consulates are not creating new student or exchange visa appointments until further notice.

The US State Department stressed that embassies and consulates need to prioritize essential tasks such as “protecting US citizens, processing immigrant visas, and preventing visa fraud”.

US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce declined to confirm to US media the new requirements the US government has set for US embassies and consulates. However, she affirmed: “We will use all available tools to screen anyone who intends to enter the US.”

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/my-tam-dung-cap-lich-hen-visa-du-hoc-siet-chat-kiem-tra-mang-xa-hoi-20250528071702430.htm