30 U.S. Senators Urge Rubio to Address Student Visa Delays
WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of 30 U.S. senators has urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address delays in processing student and exchange visitor visas, warning that applicants could miss the start of the academic year.
The effort was led by independent Senator Angus King of Maine and focuses on delays involving F, M and J visas. The lawmakers said students and scholars have been unable to secure timely appointments at several U.S. embassies and consulates.
“We write to express our concerns regarding the ongoing unavailability of visa appointments during the peak visa application season for students and scholars seeking to enter the U.S. in time for the start of classes and the academic year,” the senators wrote.
The lawmakers said constituents and educational institutions have reported difficulty obtaining appointments, creating uncertainty over whether admitted students will receive visas in time to begin their programs.
They urged the State Department to prioritize interviews and processing for student visa applicants, extend interview waivers for vetted returning students, maintain adequate staffing and provide greater transparency to applicants and educational institutions.
“These challenges come at a time when major academic institutions need skilled, international talent to begin their semesters,” the senators wrote. “Without a fix, the repercussions will be felt across the academic and skilled-technical talent pipeline.”
The senators said international students contribute nearly $43 billion annually to local communities and supported more than 355,000 U.S. jobs during the 2024-2025 academic year.
Although international students account for about 6 percent of the U.S. higher-education population, the lawmakers said their enrollment generates revenue for universities and helps create additional educational opportunities for domestic students.
“International students also improve our national security by fostering global relationships, cross cultural understanding, and long-lasting diplomatic ties,” the senators wrote. “These benefits are at risk if visa processing delays persist.”
The senators asked the State Department to explain what resources it has dedicated to clearing visa backlogs and whether processing priorities have changed since the spring and summer of 2025.
They also requested information about guidance provided to U.S. embassies and consulates, how interview appointments are allocated and the average processing time for F, M and J visas at the five largest visa-processing locations.
“The case-by-case nature of availability for access to expedited appointments or National Interest Exception requests is neither efficient nor sustainable,” the lawmakers wrote.
The senators requested a written response from the State Department within 30 days.
Signatories included Senators Dick Durbin, Cory Booker, Tammy Duckworth, Andy Kim, Amy Klobuchar, Elizabeth Warren, Chris Van Hollen, Raphael Warnock, Jeanne Shaheen and Ron Wyden.
F visas generally cover academic students, while M visas are used for vocational or other non-academic programs. J visas are issued to participants in approved exchange programs, including students, scholars and researchers.
International students are a significant part of the U.S. higher-education system, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs, making visa appointment availability and processing times critical to whether admitted students can arrive before classes begin. (Source: IANS)
