The United States has indicated that the temporary halt on student visa interviews is expected to end "sooner than later," urging applicants to continue with their application process and regularly check for updates on appointment availability.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently directed US missions worldwide to pause student visa interviews in order to implement heightened scrutiny of applicants&rsquo; social media activity.
This pause has caused uncertainty for hundreds of thousands of students planning to begin studies in the US later this year. However, comments from State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce suggest that the pause may be lifted earlier than anticipated.
&ldquo;There might be some delay right now, but I encourage applicants to keep checking the system regularly for open slots,&rdquo; Bruce said during a press briefing. &ldquo;If this were going to last weeks or months, I wouldn&rsquo;t be recommending continued checking. But since the timeline could be short, it&rsquo;s best to stay prepared and persistent.&rdquo;
India, which sends the largest number of international students to the US, will be closely watching for any official update on the resumption of interviews.
The current administration has increased oversight of foreign students, particularly in light of campus protests that followed Israel&rsquo;s military response to the Hamas attack in October 2023. US authorities have criticized some universities for not taking stronger action to manage the protests and ensure the safety of Jewish and international students.&nbsp;

Applicants urged to keep checking for slots as visa interviews may resume shortly

US Student Visa Interview Pause to End Soon

Applicants urged to keep checking for slots as visa interviews may resume shortly

May 30, 2025 | 10:10 IST