The U.S. government has recently suspended the scheduling of new student visa interviews as it prepares to implement expanded social media vetting for applicants. This policy shift, directed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to enhance security measures and address concerns over antisemitism on university campuses.
The suspension affects all new appointments for F-1 (academic), M-1 (vocational), and J-1 (exchange visitor) visas. While previously scheduled interviews will proceed, no new appointments are being accepted until further guidance is issued. The expanded vetting process will involve a thorough review of applicants’ social media activity, including posts, shares, and comments on platforms such as Instagram, X, and TikTok. The State Department has not specified a timeline for when new visa interviews will resume or detailed the exact criteria for the social media evaluations.
