Applicants urged to keep checking online as visa interview slots expected to reopen shortly
The United States has signaled that the current pause on student visa interviews will end “sooner than later,” offering hope to international students, especially from India, the largest source of foreign students in the U.S. The pause was initiated after Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered all U.S. missions globally to temporarily halt student visa interviews to implement enhanced scrutiny of applicants’ social media activity, reported gujaratsamachar.com.
US State Department urges students to continue applications and monitor appointment slots.
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US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce reassured that the hold will likely be lifted soon
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Speaking at a press briefing, Bruce said, “If you’ve applied for a visa and can’t find an appointment, continue checking the system—spaces may open unexpectedly.”
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She emphasized that this isn’t expected to be a prolonged delay and that students should persist with the process
Bruce’s comments bring relief to hundreds of thousands of aspiring students worldwide, particularly in India. The Trump administration’s heightened scrutiny comes after widespread campus unrest linked to the October 2023 Israel-Hamas conflict. The administration has criticized universities for failing to contain political protests and has tightened oversight on both college administrators and international students. Despite these measures, U.S. officials have maintained that academic mobility remains a key priority and that the visa process will normalize soon.
