Trump administration halts new student visa appointments: What's behind the move and who's affected?

The Trump administration has ordered US embassies and consulates to halt the scheduling of new student and exchange visitor visa appointments, as the State Department prepares to expand social media screening for these applicants, multiple media reports said, citing an internal cable.

Which visas are affected?

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a cable first reported by Politico, directed consular sections to halt new appointments for F, M, and J visa categories until updated guidance on social media vetting is issued.

Appointments already scheduled can proceed under existing protocols, but available appointments not already taken should be pulled down.

“The Department is conducting a review of existing operations and processes for screening and vetting of student and exchange visitor visa applicants,” the cable stated. It added that new guidance will expand social media vetting for all such applicants.

“Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening, consulate sections should not add additional student or exchange visitor visa appointment capacity,” it said.

What State Department has to say

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce declined to comment on the cable’s details.

“We will continue to use every tool we can to assess who is coming here, whether they are students or otherwise,” Bruce told reporters at a regular briefing.

How will this policy affect consular operations?

The expanded vetting will require consular sections to modify operations and reallocate resources. The cable advised prioritising services for US citizens, immigrant visas, and fraud prevention. It also urged consular sections to consider workload and resource demands when scheduling cases.

What's behind the move?

The move is in line with President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration policies, which include ramping up deportations and revoking student visas.

Trump administration officials have said student visa and green card holders are subject to deportation over their support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel's conduct in the war in Gaza, reported Reuters. The officials have reportedly called such actions a threat to US foreign policy and accused them of being pro-Hamas.

Social media scrutiny of visa applicants, introduced during Trump’s first term, continued under President Joe Biden.

The current suspension of new appointments could lead to delays, potentially disrupting international students’ plans for summer and fall academic terms.

Colleges, boarding schools, and exchange programs may face enrollment challenges as a result.

The State Department has not announced a timeline for the new guidance. Consular sections are awaiting further instructions.