US Embassy: ‘No Student Visa Appointments Cancelled’ Amid Pause For New Interview Slots
In a move that has sent ripples across the international education community, the U.S. State Department has halted the scheduling of new visa interviews for international students, citing the need to implement expanded social media screening protocols. The decision, though said to be temporary, has sparked concern among students and institutions alike, particularly in India, which sends the largest cohort of international students to the U.S.
In response to queries, U.S. Embassy spokesperson Chris Elms told The Free Press Journal: “The State Department does not comment on internal communications. The Department is working with our posts worldwide to ensure operations uphold the highest standards of national security and public safety. No previously scheduled appointments have been cancelled. Visa applicants may continue to submit applications and should monitor for availability of new slots.”
Elms emphasised that students applying for visas must be “fully truthful” and that consular offices are constantly adjusting schedules to meet security standards.
‘Temporary pause, not permanent’: IDP’s reassurance
Piyush Kumar, Regional Director, South Asia & LATAM at IDP Education, clarified that students should not panic. “This is only a temporary pause in processing new student visa applications. It will last only until the US consular sections formalise the new social media vetting system,” Kumar said.
“Students with existing appointments should note that this decision does not affect them. They should proceed with their interviews as scheduled.”
He urged students to maintain awareness of their digital presence, saying, “We urge students to conduct themselves as responsible, model global citizens—both online and offline. For accurate updates, they should rely on official embassy websites and verified social media channels".
India seeks clarity and fairness
The Indian government weighed in on the development, with External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stressing that Indian students should be assessed impartially and without delay. “We understand visa issuance is a sovereign function. But we do hope that Indian students are assessed fairly so they can begin their courses without disruptions,” Jaiswal told reporters on Thursday.
With over 330,000 Indian students enrolled in U.S. institutions during the 2023-24 academic year, predictable visa processing remains a key concern for New Delhi.
“The safety and well-being of Indian students abroad are a priority and remain high on the agenda of the Government of India,” Jaiswal added.
U.S. Education Secretary warns colleges & universities
This development follows a series of moves by the Trump administration signaling a harder stance on higher education. Just days ago, U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon stirred controversy by warning that colleges and universities must align with government priorities or risk losing federal research funding.
“We expect colleges to be in sync with the administration’s goals,” McMahon said in a CNBC interview. She added that “while academic freedom is valued, public institutions must reflect national policy in their operations and research.
The federal government’s recent decision to investigate Harvard University for alleged violations of Title VI has further fueled concerns about political overreach into academia.
Her remarks, coming amid reports that the government is considering pulling federal support from Harvard University over alleged Title VI violations, have drawn strong criticism from academic circles and civil liberties groups.
(Inputs from PTI)
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