In a sudden move that’s left many aspiring students around the world in limbo, the Trump administration has ordered U.S. embassies and consulates to stop scheduling new student visa interviews starting May 27, 2025.
The freeze applies specifically to F-1, M-1, and J-1 visa categories.
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The U.S. government is thinking about making student visa checks stricter by looking at applicants’ social media profiles. They want to see if a student’s online activity fits with U.S. security and immigration rules.
If you’ve already got an interview appointment, don’t panic — those are still going ahead as planned.
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But if you were planning to schedule one soon, you may be in for a frustrating wait. There’s no word yet on when new appointments will open again.
This move could cause major delays for thousands of students, especially those hoping to begin studies in the upcoming semester.
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Universities across the U.S., which depend on international students for both cultural diversity and financial sustainability, are watching the situation closely.
Indian and Chinese students make up a large portion of the international student community in the U.S. For many, this sudden pause may throw well-laid plans into chaos — from missed semester start dates to financial commitments.
If you’re a student planning to apply in the near future, now is the time to be extra mindful of what you post online.
Public social media activity may soon become part of your visa review process, so avoid sharing anything that could be misinterpreted or raise concerns.
While the administration has yet to confirm how long this pause will last or when the social media checks will kick in officially, one thing is clear — the rules of the game are changing.
We’ll keep following this story as it develops.
