On Tuesday, May 27, the international education and exchange community was presented with yet another challenge: Secretary of State Marco Rubio instructed U.S. embassies worldwide to pause scheduling new F, M, and J visa interview appointments.
While this action immediately affects plans of foreign students and exchange visitors, it does not stop program operations. The American Immigration Council is working closely with visa experts to gather more information and develop next-step guidance for programs candidates, hosts, and attorneys.
Below is what we currently know:
- The pause is temporary. The action is in response to the Trump administration’s requirement that all foreign students applying to study in the United States undergo social media vetting, and it will be lifted once the Department of State develops the social media scrutiny guidance.
- The pause is expected to be short-term. According to Secretary Rubio, the pause is “until further guidance is issued […], which we anticipate in the coming days.” In a press briefing held on Thursday, May 29, the Department of State confirmed that the pause will be short and there “will be an endpoint” that will not be “weeks or months” from now. The State has also encouraged program applicants to continue submitting DS-160 requests.
- The pause only affects new appointments. Consulates have been instructed not to schedule any new appointments until the vetting procedure is in place. This policy applies to all U.S. consulates worldwide
- This is not a program or travel ban. Program operations continue and J-1 visas are being issued to the following categories of exchange visitors:
- Participants whose appointments have already been scheduled.
- Canadian citizens remain visa exempt so may seek entry with the DS-2019, DS-7002 and valid Canadian passport.
- Applicants currently in the United States, obtaining J visa through a change of status process.
- While initially designed to impact higher education, the pause applies to all J-1 program categories, including those sponsored by the American Immigration Council.
We understand that this pause presents a major disruption for exchange visitors and hosts. We have developed a set of guidelines that may help you address the situation:
If you have recently started or are about to start your application:
- Please proceed as planned. It will take at least a month or longer to prepare your application package, and the situation may change. Should your program dates need be amended due to the consular visa appointment pause, we will amend them at no cost to you.
If we issued your DS-2019, but you have not yet scheduled your interview:
- Please let us know if you won’t be able to receive your visa before your start date – we will amend your program dates for free.
- Please keep checking the visa appointment page regularly as new appointments may become available at any time.
If you are preparing for your visa appointment:
- Please review your social media accounts. Keep one or two accounts active. Deleting them all will likely result in a denial as a consular officer will conclude the applicant closed them to hide adverse information.
- Remove postings which criticize the current U.S. administration, its foreign policy, and cultural values the administration promotes, or show behaviors that may be considered inappropriate, such as partying, drug or alcohol use.
- Add postings about being excited to experience America during your work and/or training.
- Be patient. It may take longer than usual for the vetting to occur.
If you are already in on program in the U.S.:
- Try to avoid traveling outside the country, if possible.
The J-1 team at the American Immigration Council will monitor the situation and is available to assist those affected by the visa appointment pause. Please reach out to us if you have questions or need help.