US Temporarily Halts New Student Visa Interviews for Social Media Vetting

• May 28, 2025

The United States government has temporarily stopped scheduling new visa interviews for international students as it expands social media vetting procedures for applicants. The move, confirmed by a U.S. official on Tuesday, affects only those who have not yet been given an interview appointment.

According to the official, who spoke anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the internal document, the suspension is not permanent. It also does not affect students who already have visa interviews scheduled. These applicants will still be processed as planned.

This development is part of the U.S. government's efforts to increase scrutiny of visa applicants, particularly through enhanced review of their online presence. Social media vetting has become a growing focus in recent years, aimed at identifying potential security concerns. However, the added layer of review has also raised concerns about delays and access for students seeking to study in the United States.

While the official did not offer a timeline for when new visa interviews would resume, the statement suggested that the pause is procedural and tied to the implementation of expanded background checks.

This temporary halt comes during a period when many international students typically begin planning their travel and enrollment in U.S. colleges and universities. A pause in interview scheduling could cause uncertainty, especially for students hoping to begin classes in the upcoming academic term.

The State Department has not issued an official public statement on the suspension or on how long the delay might last. Nonetheless, the anonymous official emphasized that the pause is aimed at ensuring that the new vetting procedures are smoothly incorporated into the existing system without disrupting already-scheduled cases.

Student visa applications are a major part of the U.S. immigration system, with thousands of international students applying each year to attend American institutions. The impact of this temporary halt on universities and students remains to be seen, especially if the delay extends into the peak application period.

For now, applicants are advised to monitor updates from U.S. embassies and consulates and to proceed with their preparations as planned if they already have an interview scheduled.