Student Visas, Security, and Social Media: What International Families Need to Know About the Latest U.S. Policy Shift

Understanding the Temporary Halt on U.S. Student Visa Applications and Proposed Enhanced Vetting Policies

In a rapidly shifting landscape for international students, the U.S. Department of State’s recent announcement to temporarily suspend student visa interviews has sparked confusion and concern among international students who are left questioning what this means for their future academic plans in the United States.

To help unpack the implications of this announcement, our Founder and Executive Director, Kate Bock, sat down with London-based U.S. immigration attorney, Rikki Barrow. In this Q&A, they explore the reasons behind the suspension, the potential impact on students, and what applicants should be doing right now to prepare.

Q: A lot has been in the news recently regarding student visa applications for the U.S., but what specific changes have the U.S. Department of State announced?

A: On May 27, 2025, the U.S. Department of State sent a cable to all U.S. embassies and consulates ordering them to pause scheduling new interviews for student and exchange visa applicants, specifically those applying under the F, M, and J visa categories. This suspension is part of a broader initiative to implement expanded social media screening for visa applicants, and the Department of State has indicated that during the interview hiatus they will be reviewing existing operations with the intention of implementing enhanced social media vetting procedures before resuming interviews again.

Q: What is the reason for requiring enhanced social media screening?

A: This move seems to be in line with Executive Orders 14161 and 14188, which were signed by the president in his first week in office, and which claim to enhance protections against foreign terrorists and antisemitism. The cable indicates that consular officers should exercise “extra vigilance” in assessing whether an applicant poses a threat to U.S. national security.

Q: What specific content is being scrutinized in the social media vetting process? 

A: The Department of State is examining applicants' online activities primarily for anything that could be interpreted as:

• Support for, or endorsement of, terrorist organizations (such as Hamas or Hezbollah).

• Antisemitic rhetoric.

• Criticism of U.S. or Israeli policies that could be construed as hostile or extremist.

Q: How does this impact international students planning to study in the U.S.?

A: First and foremost, the cable suspends the scheduling of new interviews. According to the cable, if a student already has a visa appointment scheduled this may still go ahead and will be adjudicated under current vetting guidelines. On the other hand, for those students who do not already have an interview scheduled, they will not be able to make an appointment until the suspension has been lifted. The Department of State indicated that additional guidance is expected “in the coming days”. Once appointments resume, it is anticipated that there will be a large pool of applicants trying to secure an interview which may lead to delays in getting an appointment. Likewise, it is also reasonable to expect that the new vetting procedures may delay visa adjudication and/or issuance, so applicants should try to book their interview well in advance of their program start date.

Q: What should students do to prepare for their visa appointment if they don’t already have one scheduled?

A: If a student does not already have an interview scheduled and intends to start an academic program either this summer or in the autumn, my first suggestion is to regularly monitor their account for new appointments to be released. Once the suspension is lifted there will likely be high demand for appointments, so being ready to secure an interview quickly will be important. Second, it will be prudent for students to review their social media accounts for any content that could be misinterpreted as antisemitic, pro-terrorist, or against U.S. national security interests. It is also advisable that they ensure their privacy settings are appropriately configured, although it's important to note that U.S. authorities may still be able to access certain information even if an account is set to private. Lastly, if a student is concerned about their online presence or has questions about the enhanced social media vetting procedures – or even just the application and interview process in general – speak to a U.S. immigration attorney who can assess case-specific facts and provide guidance to help prepare for the interview.

Q: Any final thoughts?

A: The U.S. has over 1 million international students. These students not only contribute to on-campus diversity and bring worldly perspectives to classroom discussions, they also contribute significantly to the U.S. economy. The United States thrives on international students and prospective applicants should not be deterred by these enhanced vetting protocols. The key takeaway here should be that students need to be aware of their online presence and how their content could potentially be perceived. They need to be vigilant in scheduling an appointment once interviews resume, and if they have any concerns it’s best to speak to an attorney as soon as possible so that when that interview day arrives, the applicant is well prepared.

This is posting is for informational purposes and is not intended as legal advice. If you have questions about U.S. admissions applications or strategies please contact us at info@archerfranklin.com. Alternatively, if you require immigration advice or assistance, Rikki Barrow is an attorney at Flynn Hodkinson Ltd and can be contacted at rikki@flynnhodkinson.com.