US Suspends Visa Applications for Foreign Students and Exchange Programs

The US government has instructed its embassies and consulates to temporarily halt new interview appointments for foreigners seeking to study in the US or participate in cultural exchange programs. The State Department aims to conduct more thorough social media screenings of applicants before proceeding.

A source at the department confirmed this to Reuters after the directive was leaked via Politico. A spokesperson declined to comment but stated the US will use "every means" to screen individuals entering the country.

Existing interview appointments will proceed, but the impact on students planning to study in the US this fall remains unclear. Diplomatic posts are also prioritizing services for US citizens, immigration procedures, and fraud prevention.

This move aligns with policies targeting foreign students critical of US policies on Israel and Gaza. Additionally, the Trump administration is clashing with universities over governance, accusing elite institutions like Harvard of being too liberal and insufficiently combating antisemitism.