Background on the Policy Change
The United States government has instructed its diplomatic missions to resume scheduling student visa applications, with an added requirement for applicants to make their social media profiles public for investigative purposes. This shift comes after the Trump administration ordered a halt to new appointment bookings for student and exchange visitor visa applicants in late May while the Department of State expanded its social media screening process.
New Guidelines and Procedures
According to a Department of State official speaking on condition of anonymity, the new guidelines mandate thorough and meticulous investigations into all student and exchange visitor applicants. To facilitate this, the official stated:
- All non-immigrant F, M, and J visa applicants must adjust the privacy settings of their social media profiles to ‘public’.
- Diplomatic offices can now resume scheduling visa applications for F, M, and J categories.
Senator Rubio’s Visa Revocation Actions
Senator Marco Rubio has previously revoked visas for hundreds, possibly thousands of individuals, including students, due to their involvement in activities deemed contrary to US foreign policy priorities. Such activities include supporting Palestinian causes and criticizing Israel’s actions during the Gaza conflict.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main change in US visa application process? The United States has resumed scheduling student visa appointments and now requires applicants to make their social media profiles public for investigation.
- Who issued the initial order to pause student visa appointments? The Trump administration ordered the pause in late May.
- What type of investigation will be conducted on visa applicants? Thorough and meticulous investigations into all student and exchange visitor applicants’ backgrounds, including their social media activities.
- What actions have led to visa revocations by Senator Rubio? Involvement in activities that contradict US foreign policy priorities, such as supporting Palestinian causes and criticizing Israel’s actions in the Gaza conflict.
