Why US Embassy has halted student visas worldwide

US: The United States has temporarily paused scheduling new student visa interviews at embassies worldwide, citing vetting of applicants’ social media activity as an additional criterion for visa approval.

The previously scheduled interviews will proceed as planned. The directive was issued Tuesday through a diplomatic cable from US secretary of state Marco Rubio.

“Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued,” Rubio stated.

Rules are becoming stricter under Trump

The move is part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to introduce stricter rules for foreign students, including enhanced scrutiny of their social media activity.

Earlier this year, the administration revoked the legal status of thousands of international students already residing in the US, prompting many to voluntarily leave the country to avoid deportation.

How has the US visa process taken place so far?

To study in the United States, foreign students must first gain admission to a US government-approved institution.

They are then required to schedule a visa interview at a US embassy or consulate in their home country to obtain an entry visa.

Many universities rely heavily on international students, who often pay higher tuition fees.

Just last week, the Trump administration rescinded Harvard University’s ability to enrol new international students or host foreign researchers.

Students warned against dropping out or skipping classes

The US Embassy in India recently issued a strong advisory to international students, emphasising the importance of complying with all visa conditions. According to the statement, students who drop out, skip classes or leave their academic programs without properly notifying their universities risk immediate visa revocation and may be barred from future US visa applications.

Spike in visa cancellations since April

Since April 2025, several leading US universities have reported a surge in visa cancellations, particularly among Indian students. Once an F-1 visa is revoked, the student loses their legal status in the US and may face deportation.

More than 300 international students have already had their visas revoked

While some of these cases are reportedly linked to participation in protests, many students have taken to social media to express dissatisfaction with the US government’s support for the ongoing war, now in its 18th month. According to the Associated Press, the level of scrutiny has increased so significantly that even minor infractions, such as a speeding ticket, can trigger a visa review or cancellation.

Even a simple post can trigger visa revocation

Universities including Harvard, Stanford, UCLA, the University of Michigan, and Ohio State have expressed concern, stating they were not warned about the mass cancellations.

In numerous cases, affected Indian students had no ties to protests or criminal activities; their only known action was posting content in support of Gaza on social media.

At Harvard, the issue came to light during a routine review of student records. In an internal memo, the Harvard International Office acknowledged that they were unaware of the specific reasons behind the cancellations but noted that other top institutions were experiencing similar patterns.