The US government has stopped scheduling new student visa appointments at its embassies. This is part of a new initiative to increase social media checks for students applying to study in the United States. A memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio told embassies to pause new bookings “until further guidance is issued.”
If you already have an appointment, it will still proceed as scheduled.
What’s Happening:
- Stricter Screening: More detailed checks of social media accounts for student and exchange visa applicants.
- Embassy Workload: The change will affect how embassies handle student visa cases.
- Political Tensions: President Trump has criticized top US colleges for being “too left-leaning” and allowing antisemitism.
- Previous Trends: Social media vetting was already being used, particularly to identify signs of support for protests or suspicious activity.
How Does This Affect Indian Students?
- Longer Wait Times: It may become harder to book visa appointments in time for upcoming semesters.
- More Documentation: Students should be prepared for a thorough review of their online presence.
- Uncertainty: This adds another layer of stress for Indian students, who are already in the complicated visa process.
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Source: BBC News