US New Student Visa Interviews Paused Temporarily; Plans Social Media Vetting

US New Student Visa Interviews Paused Temporarily; Plans Social Media Vetting

Edited By Jasmine | Updated on May 28, 2025 12:45 PM IST

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has instructed US embassies worldwide to pause US student visa interviews temporarily. The Trump administration is considering increasing the review of social media profiles of visa applicants. However, interviews that have already been arranged can still be processed. This step is taken amidst the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and elite universities, especially Harvard University, regarding antisemitism and restrictions on international students. Recently, Mr. Rubio has discussed the possibility of canceling student visas, revoking green cards, and closely examining the social media activity of international applicants, due to Israel’s conflict in Gaza. He has claimed that pro-Palestinian protesters on campuses have harassed students, damaged property, and disrupted daily life. Note that many American universities depend on foreign students as they contribute to the annual revenue of many institutions. In the academic year 2023-2024, the international students contributed approximately $43.8 billion to the US economy. According to a report from the Department of Homeland Security, foreign students collectively earned over 1.3 million degrees in higher education in 2023. Additionally, international visiting professors will also be affected by these new restrictions. The student visa interview has been halted for all types of study visas issued by US embassies like F1, M1 and J1 visas.

This Story also Contains
  1. What is Social Media Vetting?
  2. Consequences of Pausing US Student Visa Interviews
  3. Are F1 visa appointments available in India?
US New Student Visa Interviews Paused Temporarily; Plans Social Media Vetting
US New Student Visa Interviews Paused Temporarily; Plans Social Media Vetting

Also Read: US F1 Visa Slots for Fall

What is Social Media Vetting?

As the US government has decided to pause the student visa interviews temporarily worldwide, they have further planned to conduct social media vetting. This means that the government plans to conduct social media checks for all student visa applicants. Consular officers will now be reviewing posts, likes, comments, and shares on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) to identify any content they think is a potential national security risk. Since March, these officers have already been reviewing the social media accounts of students involved in pro-Palestinian protests. To collect proofs, they are taking screenshots of posts that were labeled as ‘potentially derogatory,’. However from now on they plan to conduct social media vetting for all the applicants of student visa for USA.

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Consequences of Pausing US Student Visa Interviews

The US government’s decision to pause the visa interviews has affected several international students, faculty, researchers and institutions. Just before the commencement of the new academic year, pausing the student visa interviews will result in delays for international students. This policy could lead to delays in visa processing, which might affect the universities' finances and international student enrollment. In the academic year 2023-2024, the international students contributed approximately $43.8 billion to the US economy. As a result of social media vetting, critics believe that this step taken by the US government affects the privacy of the US student visa applicants, and points out the vague criteria for what constitutes ‘threatening’ content. As Trump has been threatening Harvard University regarding the antisemitism movement, Harvard University has filed a lawsuit against the Donald Trump administration. The move is seen as a step further from the ongoing battle between the White house and elite universities - the one that centered around Harvard and Columbia University over antisemitism. The US is a preferred destination for STEM education, about 25% international students studied maths and computer science and while almost one in five choose engineering programs. India sends the largest number of international students to the US followed by China. This decision will have a huge impact on the Indian students planning to study higher education in the US.

Are F1 visa appointments available in India?

Yes, F-1 visa appointments are available in India, however, it will be difficult to secure

due to high demand and limited availability of slots. The US Embassy in India schedules nonimmigrant visa interviews by appointment only and appointments can be booked online. You need a completed DS-160 form, a valid passport, and a photo to schedule an appointment.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is there an interview for US student visa?

The US government has issued a notice to all US embassies worldwide to pause the US student visa interview until further notice. This step is taken to thoroughly check the applicant's social media profiles. If the content on the social media platforms turns out to be a risk for national security, then that applicant will not be eligible for the US student visa interview.

2. How long does US F1 visa interview take?

The US F1 visa interview is a short interview for applicants. The duration of this interview is 3 to 5 minutes. However, the US student visa interview is currently paused by the US government to conduct social media reviews of the applicant’s profiles on different platforms.

3. Is America giving student visa now?

America has currently paused the interview process for the US student visa for international students. However if your application was already arranged before the new notice issued by the US government, your interview can still be conducted.

4. Is it difficult to pass US visa interview?

Generally, it is not difficult to pass a US visa interview. However with the new modifications planned by the US government, to conduct social media vetting for US visa applicants, the process can get a bit challenging. Amidst the ongoing tensions regarding the antisemitic movement, Trump has threatened elite universities like Harvard University with a ban on federal fundings.

5. How many US Embassies are in India?

In India, there is 1 US embassy in New Delhi. However, there are 4 other consulates of the US embassy situated in Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai.

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Hi there

Yes you can try to learn various courses that are for approximately 3 months to 6 months in duration.

Yes you can learn before going to us. Learning skills definitively adds some value to the life of a candidate and also improves in getting good recognition in life..

Below i have mentioned some courses  that you can try before visiting us:

  • Social media marketing
  • Content writer
  • Content creation
  • Video editing
  • Photography skills
  • Digital marketing
  • Stiching
  • Makeup artist course
  • Hairstyling course.

So these are some courses you can try.

Hope this answer will help you. Revert incase of any query.

Thank you and good luck:)

Hello Samarasimha,

YES, you can MS in UA after completing Bsc in Statistics. . All you have to do is score good marks in your PG and prepare for GRE. You should also decide upon the country and the university in which you are going to study.

Furthermore, the requirements to pursue MS in USA are as follows :

  • 3 to 4 years bachelors degree in relevant field.
  • 3.5 or higher GPA, equivalent to 87% in bachelors.
  • GRE score of 330 or above.
  • Statement of Purpose.
  • Research Internships/ Published Research Papers.
  • Project work/Seminars.
  • 2-3 Letter of Recommendation.
  • Social & Leadership Activities.

Further, requirements for Software jobs in USA are as follows :

  • Enroll in a software development program. The first step to becoming a software engineer is to enroll in a software development degree program. ...
  • Gain internship experience. ...
  • Choose your specialty. ...
  • Pursue industry certifications. ...
  • Continue your education.

I hope that this will help.

Dear aspirant hope you are doing well..

To study at foreign universities/abroad in U. S , the admission process will require the candidate to give one language exam and one standardized exam. However, depending on the country, course, college, or university you are applying for you may be exempted from standardized exams. The language test will showcase your English proficiency skills. These exams are required for pursuing almost all courses abroad. Different countries have different language exams such as

  • TOEFL exam for getting admission to the universities in the US and Canada. The score of this exam is valid for two years after the declaration of results
  • There are plenty of universities abroad where you can apply to do master-level course, MSc in statistics, MSc in Operation Research, and Applied Mathematics, MSc in Mathematical Modeling, etc are some of the Master level Course in Mathematics that are available abroad. Students who have completed their graduation or bachelor's degree in Mathematics can apply for these courses. Foreign universities like Uppsala University, Dublin City University, Oxford Brookes University, University of York, University of Liverpool, etc offer all the above-mentioned courses in mathematics.

Top university of The USA for master degree courses

  • John Carroll University
  • Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Michigan State University
  • West Virginia University
  • Rhode Island College
  • University of Arkansas
  • Vanderbilt University
  • DePaul University
  • Delaware State University
  • Texas A&M University-Commerce
  • University of South Florida
  • California State University Northridge

You can get the detailed information about the process how to apply for MS in USA. read the given article. Link is given below

https://studyabroad.careers360.com/articles/how-apply-for-ms-in-usa/amp

Hope it's helpful for you..

Thank you

There are many ways to choose your university such as fees, the ranking of the university, which state it is located and scholarships. My suggestion is to choose your research focus and write academic papers. In the US, PhD in Commerce admission into the university depends on what you want to study (your area of research) and your already completed research papers. You can begin your research by searching online for US universities offering PhD in Business Administration. One example is University of California Los Angeles (https://www.anderson.ucla.edu/degrees/phd-program/admissions#app-req) .


Hello  Student

You are aBHM means Bachelor in Hotel Management so after doing BHM,to gain a bright future  inthis trade you have to do MSc in Hotel Management,post graduation in Hospitality Management,Master degree in travel and tourism management,or MBA in hotel management,AFter doing post graduation in Hotel management or travel and tourism management will give you the best return in employment opportunity.

Hope this will help.


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