US resumes study visa interviews with stricter “screening” process
According to the cable, US missions abroad can resume scheduling student visa interviews, but are advised to do so in a manner that takes into account the increased workload expected from the enhanced screening procedures.
The cable, signed by secretary of state Marco Rubio, suggests that embassies will have to review applicants’ online presence, which goes beyond just social media activities and includes information in online databases, especially to identify any signs of “hostility towards the citizens, culture, government, institutions or founding principles of the United States”, as per a report by Politico.
Additionally, US embassy and consulate officials are instructed to flag any instances of “advocacy for, aid, or support of foreign terrorists and other threats to US national security,” as well as any signs of “anti-Semitic harassment and violence” among applicants, with support for Hamas cited as a particular example.
Consular officers will also be required to assess an applicant’s history of political activism and the likelihood of such activities continuing on US soil, and have been mandated to “take screenshots to preserve the record against possible later alteration or loss of the information”.
While the new requirements apply to both new and returning student visa applicants, including those who have not yet been interviewed, those whose interviews have been waived, and those who have been interviewed but not yet “approved”, none of the flagged factors would automatically make an applicant ineligible for a visa under US law.
However, any “suspicious” online content may trigger additional review to assess whether the applicant is likely to “engage only in activities consistent with their nonimmigrant visa status”.
The directive from the State Department comes just a week after the US for Success Coalition and NAFSA launched an advocacy campaign urging Congress to press the government to immediately resume student visa appointments.
The delay had left many international students struggling to reach campuses in time for the semester or take part in summer programs.
Stakeholders, who had described the pause in study visa interviews as “misguided” and “troubling,” also warned that simply reversing the decision would not result in an immediate resolution.
“Even if they quickly reverse course, already damage has been done. Those slots for visa interviews may no longer be available,” Presidents’ Alliance CEO Miriam Fledblum told The PIE at NAFSA 2025.
“This is not theoretical, this is not some time in the future. This is now and this is consequential.”
Additional social media vetting had been expected for nationwide implementation following a directive from Rubio calling for stricter scrutiny of Harvard applicants weeks ago.
The directive specifically highlighted anti-Semitism as the focus of the vetting process, naming Harvard as a “pilot” site for increased screening of international students, with plans to expand the initiative over time.
Just last week, the State Department instructed all US missions abroad to resume processing student and exchange visitor visas for Harvard University, following a federal judge’s decision in Boston to temporarily block President Donald Trump’s ban on international students at the grand-old Ivy League institution.
The Trump administration’s flip flop on international students are expected to lead uncertainty for the US education sector.
We will provide to China what was agreed to, including Chinese students using our colleges and universities (which has always been good with me!). We are getting a total of 55% tariffs, China is getting 10%. Relationship is excellent!
Donald Trump, US President on Truth Social
What began as an endorsement of green cards for international students studying in the US has shifted toward a wave of restrictive policies, including a freeze on student visa interviews, threats to withdraw federal funding and international enrolment rights, and efforts to aggressively revoke study visas, based on one’s nationality.
But what again appeared to be a shift in tone, Trump announced on Wednesday that he had reached an agreement with China concerning students “using our colleges and universities,” just two weeks after US officials vowed to step up visa revocations for Chinese students and intensify reviewing of student visa applicants.
“Our deal with China is done, subject to final approval with President Xi and me. Full magnets, and any necessary rare earths, will be supplied, up front, by China. Likewise, we will provide to China what was agreed to, including Chinese students using our colleges and universities (which has always been good with me!). We are getting a total of 55% tariffs, China is getting 10%. Relationship is excellent! Thank you for your attention to this matter!,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
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