Important Travel Advisory for International Students and Exchange Visitors in the U.S.

If you are an international student or exchange visitor currently studying in the United States, you should not travel outside the country at this time if you do not have a visa for re-entry.

Why?

• The U.S. State Department has temporarily paused scheduling student and exchange visitor visa interviews worldwide. Previously scheduled visa appointments are not impacted.
• This means that if you leave the U.S. and your visa expires—or if you need a new visa to return—you will not be able to schedule an interview to obtain a new visa to re-enter the country.
• As a result, you could be stranded abroad and unable to return to continue your studies.

What You Should Do:

• Stay in the U.S. until the State Department resumes scheduling visa appointments for students and exchange visitors.
• Monitor updates from your university’s international student office and the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country.
• Avoid non-essential travel outside the U.S., even during academic breaks.

Background:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently announced a temporary pause on student visa interviews at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. This is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to expand social media vetting for international students and exchange visitors applying for F, M, and J visas.

According to the cable notification sent by Rubio to consular offices, the pause is intended to give the State Department time to implement enhanced screening procedures, particularly focusing on applicants’ social media activity.

How long will this last?
The notification indicated that consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued.
The State Department has not provided a specific end date.