US Tightens Student Visa Rules with Mandatory Social Media Screening

The US government tightened the screws around inviting the applications from international students to the universities. As per the latest reports, the Trump administration plans to mandate that students applying undergo social media screening. It comes as a major move as part of Trump’s new regulations.

Additionally, the US administration instructed all US embassies and consulate offices to halt the scheduling of new interviews for student visa applicants. Reportedly, a cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio was released on Tuesday, conveying the same.

“Effective immediately, in anticipation of expanded mandatory social media screening and vetting, consular sections should refrain from adding new appointment slots for student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visas until further guidance is provided via a separate telegram in the coming days,” the cable instructed.

If the instruction gets implemented, it would slow down the processing ofstudent visas. It also means that student visas will be slowed down and will impact the universities financially as majority of them depend on foreign students.