US Embassies Temporarily Suspend F, M, and J Student Visa Interviews While DOS Expands Social Media Vetting Protocols

As first reported by news outlet Politico on May 27, 2025, the Department of State (DOS) has issued a cable ordering all US embassies and consulates to temporarily stop scheduling new visa interviews for F, M, and J applicants until the Department provides guidance on enhanced social media screening and vetting for foreign students. This directive comes after recent efforts by the Trump Administration to impose heightened scrutiny on foreign students to curtail certain political activities on university campuses.  The DOS anticipates that the new guidance will be issued in the coming days. 

What This Means for our Clients

While the DOS cable has not been publicly released, news reports indicate that the suspension only applies to the scheduling of new student visa interviews, and that applicants who already have appointments should not be impacted and should appear for their interviews. Furthermore, applicants may continue to submit their DS-160 visa applications for F, M, and J visas, but will need to wait for the suspension to be lifted to be scheduled for an interview. 

For existing F, M, and J students in the United States who anticipate international travel and who do not have valid visa stamps, we recommend avoiding travel at this time until the DOS issues the new guidance and lifts the suspension.

We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available.