As of May 27, 2025, the U.S. Department of State has temporarily halted the scheduling of new visa interviews for F, M, and J visa applicants. A cable sent to all embassies and consular posts by Secretary of State Marco Rubio has instructed consular sections to “not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued.” This request stems from the Department’s decision to “evaluate operations and processes in preparation for expanded social media vetting of all student and exchange visitor visa applicants.”  The Department of State has not officially announced this development.

Visa interviews in these categories that have already been scheduled have not been affected as of now. Visa applicants with existing interviews should plan to attend their appointments, but should be prepared for additional screening and delay. If there are any changes or cancellations to existing appointments, affected individuals should seek to speak to an attorney.

The pause on new visa interviews is part of the Department of State’s ongoing efforts to expand social media screening and other vetting of visa applicants. This most recent development is part of the ongoing targeting of international students by the Trump Administration. The pause on new visa interviews has raised concerns among universities and international students, as it may lead to delays in obtaining visas and affect travel plans, particularly at a time when many students are departing the United States for the summer holiday to renew their visas abroad. Students who have concerns about the effects of this development should seek legal advice before departing the United States.