The U.S. government is reportedly suspending new interviews for student visa issuance for the time being and introducing social media screenings, causing confusion among domestic study abroad applicants. The types of visas for which new interviews are suspended include ▲ university study and language training visa (F) ▲ vocational training visa (M) ▲ exchange researcher and student visa (J).
The U.S. Embassy in Korea reportedly stopped accepting reservations for student visa interviews around 9 a.m. on the 28th. A representative from a visa agency said, “Two customers attempted to make reservations this morning; one was successful while the other was halted,” adding, “It appears they are preparing a new system to verify social media account information.”
In this regard, a spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Korea noted, “We are temporarily suspending (student visa interview reservations).” When asked when the reservation intake would resume, they said, “We do not know yet.” However, they advised that if an interview has already been scheduled, applicants should visit the embassy according to the designated schedule.
Kim Mo (22), a student at Hanyang University, said, “I was trying to apply for the interview today, but suddenly (the intake) was blocked,” adding, “I have to go as an exchange student to a university in Georgia next semester, and I'm worried about whether I can get the visa before departure.”
There are growing concerns about the U.S. government's introduction of social media screenings. People are worried that posts, photos, and videos they have shared on social media could be reasons for visa denials.
Jeong Mo (21), a student at Yonsei University, said, “I plan to go as an exchange student to a university in the Midwestern U.S. next semester,” adding, “When I first heard the news about the (suspension of student visa interviews), I was going to write 'This is crazy' on Instagram but deleted it.”
Park Mo (23), who attends the same university, also noted, “I have not been able to apply for the visa interview yet,” saying, “I liked posts related to U.S. President Donald Trump or North Korea, but now I'm deleting all of them.”
The U.S. has previously reflected foreign students' social media activities in visa screenings. Following the outbreak of the war in the Gaza Strip in October 2023, as anti-Semitic and pro-Palestinian protests continued on U.S. campuses, the Trump administration introduced social media screening requirements targeting related foreign students.
However, there are also projections within the visa agency industry that the situation will be resolved soon. A representative from one agency said, “Many foreign students with expired visa periods need reissuance,” adding, “We believe it is highly likely that (visa interviews will) resume between late June and early July.”