There may soon be some positive news for international students who are trying to make an appointment for a US study visa. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce, in a briefing on Thursday, hinted at the timeline when the ban on new visa appointments will be lifted.
“I can’t tell you immediately after some indetermined moment of an action, but I can tell you that it’s something that would happen perhaps sooner than later,” said Bruce.
The US State Department hinted on Thursday that a global suspension of visa processing for international students would be temporary, as it increased scrutiny of applicants’ social media activities. “I would not be recommending that if this were going to be weeks or months,” added Bruce.
The visa application process is a two-step process, requiring applicants to apply and schedule an appointment to meet with representatives. Unlike passports, there is a specific process, and there may be delays.
To avoid disappointment, applicants should regularly check for available spots and use an online system if they don’t receive an appointment. If there’s no appointment, applicants can continue to recheck for available spots through the system, is what Bruce suggested.
Filing for a visa involves a vetting process in one’s home country, consulate, or embassy. Bruce highlighted that due to privacy concerns and individual differences, various dynamics and questions can be applied and addressed. Various tools are used to vet and ensure a clear understanding of the applicant’s background.
Many foreign students who were going to set up their interviews for U.S. visas have suffered a serious setback at the hands of the Trump administration. The ban impacts those applying for F, M, and J visas.
US embassies and consulates have been directed to stop interviewing applicants for student visas. Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered US embassies and consulates worldwide to pause scheduling appointments for student visas pending new guidelines on checking applicants’ social media postings.
Bruce also informed that the United States is beginning to revoke visas of Chinese students as warranted, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields impacting national security, and enhancing scrutiny of visas for all Chinese nationals, including Hong Kong passport holders.
The appointment wait time is expected to shoot up once the slots open up for the students. As per the Global Visa Wait Times tables, as of May 25, the New Visa Appointment Wait Time Estimates for New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai are 2 months.