US orders pause on new student visa interviews globally: report | World News

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has directed American embassies around the world to stop scheduling new interviews for student visa applicants, according to a report Bloomberg. The decision is part of the Trump adminration’s review of visa screening, which could include expanded checks of applicants’ social media profiles.
“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 said in a statement sent to US diplomats globally.
According to the message, interviews already scheduled can still go ahead, but no new appointments should be added.
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The pause affects F, M, and J visa categories, which cover most international students and exchange visitors.
The move comes as the adminration considers further restrictions on foreign students, following claims that international students have contributed to what it calls an “anti-Semitic atmosphere” on some American campuses.