Washington– The temporary suspension of U.S. student visa interviews is likely to be lifted “sooner than later,” according to a U.S. State Department spokesperson, offering hope to hundreds of thousands of international students planning to study in the United States later this year.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently directed U.S. diplomatic missions worldwide to pause student visa interviews in order to implement enhanced screening measures, including a review of applicants’ social media activity.
Despite the brief disruption, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce encouraged prospective students to continue with their visa applications and to regularly monitor the online appointment system for updates.
“There may be some delays right now,” Bruce said during a daily press briefing. “But I’m not recommending people avoid applying. If you’re not seeing available appointments, keep checking online regularly, as new slots may open.”
Bruce did not provide a specific timeline for when interviews would resume but indicated that the pause would not be prolonged. “I can’t give you an exact date, but it’s not expected to be weeks or months. This will likely happen sooner than later,” she added.
The pause has drawn particular attention in India, which is the leading source of international students in the U.S.
The increased scrutiny comes amid heightened political tensions on American college campuses following protests over Israel’s military response to the October 2023 Hamas attacks. The U.S. administration has criticized university leaders for failing to prevent unrest and has raised concerns about the involvement of both Jewish and foreign students.
While the review continues, officials urge applicants to stay engaged with the process, assuring that normal visa services will resume in the near future. (Source: IANS)
