US pauses student visa appointments

KABUL (Pajhwok): US embassies and consulates around the globe have been directed to halt new student visa appointments, CNN reported on Wednesday.

Amid plans to expand social media screening and vetting to all applicants for student visas, the State Department has issued the instructions in a diplomatic cable.

Signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the cable comes at a time when the US has scrapped scores of student visas.

The State Department is reviewing existing operations and processes for screening and vetting of student and exchange visitor visa applicants.

Based on that review, the cable said, the State Department planned to issue guidance on expanded social media vetting for all such applicants.

Applicants have been asked to provide social media identifiers on immigrant and nonimmigrant visa application forms since 2019.

The Trump administration’s move could severely slow down the student visa issuance process besides causing a significant backlog.

Over 1.1 million international students studied at US higher education institutions in the 2023-2024 school year.

Appointments that were already scheduled can still take place, explained the cable.

“Consular sections should remain focused on consular priorities including services for U.S. citizens, immigrant visas, and fraud prevention.”

PAN Monitor/mud