U.S. Temporarily Suspends Student Visa Interviews… Moves to Mandate Social Media Screening for International Students
The U.S. government has temporarily halted in-person interviews for student visa applicants and is pushing to make social media background checks a mandatory part of the student visa screening process.
This move is part of broader efforts to tighten national security measures and prevent potential misuse of student visas, especially amid rising geopolitical tensions.
The proposed policy would require applicants to submit their social media handles and activity histories as part of the visa application process. The data would be reviewed for any content deemed threatening or inconsistent with U.S. values and laws.
Education institutions and international student advocacy groups have expressed concern that such measures may discourage qualified applicants and undermine academic exchange.
The U.S. State Department has not specified when in-person interviews will resume but stated that the suspension is temporary and related to administrative updates.
This measure takes effect immediately, and no new visa interview appointments can be scheduled until further notice.
However, interviews that have already been scheduled will proceed as planned.
The official announcement specifies that the temporary suspension applies to F, M, and J visas.
- F visas are required for students attending academic programs or language training in the U.S.
- M visas are for individuals pursuing vocational or technical training.
- J visas are issued for educational, artistic, and scientific exchanges, typically for researchers, scholars, and exchange students.
This measure appears to be aimed at expanding ideological scrutiny and clarifying the scope of background checks by reviewing the social media activity of foreign students before deciding whether to issue a visa.
[Editor Miso]
