WASHINGTON, D.C., May 22, 2025 — U.S. embassies around the world have been ordered to stop scheduling new student visa appointments, as the State Department prepares to expand social media screenings of international applicants. The directive, revealed in a diplomatic cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and first reported by Politico, marks a significant escalation in the Biden-to-Trump policy shift on foreign student oversight.
“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,” the memo states. The pause affects student and exchange visitor visas globally, not just those from China—a country that has been the specific focus of recent Republican rhetoric.
Earlier this week, Rubio announced that under a potential second Trump administration, the U.S. would “aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students” linked to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in sensitive academic fields.
China has criticized the measures as discriminatory and harmful to international educational cooperation. “We urge the U.S. side to earnestly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of international students,” a Chinese government spokesperson said.
U.S. universities, many of which rely on international student tuition to fund operations, are likely to be concerned about the new restrictions, particularly as fall enrollment deadlines loom.
The State Department has not specified what the expanded vetting will entail but has previously referenced screening for antisemitic or politically charged content. Student groups and civil rights advocates warn that the measures could amount to ideological filtering and raise concerns about free expression online.
Further guidance is expected from the State Department in the coming days.
