In a boost to the students planning to pursue higher studies in the US, the Trump administration has lifted the “global pause” on fresh visa interviews for international students imposed three weeks ago. The move followed a US State Department directive to its diplomatic wings abroad, to resume the interviews for F-1, M-1, and J-1 visa applicants.
The decision to process fresh visas has come with a condition that students seeking to pursue studies in the US have to make their social media profiles “public, so that the US authorities can screen the students for any anti-American stance. Students violating the department’s social media guidelines will have to face rejections.
Study-abroad experts welcomed the Trump administration’s latest move, which they said amounted to “controlled opening.”
India has the one of the largest source markets for the US universities over the past several years. In FY24, India sent 331,602 international students to the US, a 23% increase from the previous year, surpassing China as the largest sender of students to the US, according to an Open Doors Report.
“After pausing new student and exchange-visitor appointments in late May to strengthen screening procedures, this limited expansion indicates a controlled re-opening. For Indian students, this means that the access is returning but with heightened scrutiny. The policy balances national-security priorities with educational diplomacy and requirements of the US,” said Karunn Kandoi, founder and CEO of Vidysea Education.
The move also ends the uncertainty for students who were planning to apply to the US-based universities for the “fall admissions”. May-August period is usually the peak season for visa appointments which is when the major universities in the US open admissions for international students. On an average, 70% of all international student visas are issued in this period.
“This is a significant step towards restoring stability and confidence for those hoping to enroll in the fall 2025 intake. Many students were confused by the visa restriction, especially those who had already been accepted to institutions but were unsure if they would be able to travel and begin their studies on time. Students can now make appointments and move forward with their plans without further delay,” said Mamta Jani, founder of Ontrack Education.
Experts said that about 75% of the Indian students who have applied for the “fall admissions” have already got an appointment, and the pause was affecting just 25% of the students. F-1, M-1 and J-1 visas are specifically meant for foreign students. While the most popular F-1 visas are issued for pursuing academic studies at accredited US colleges, M-1 visas are for vocational training and J-1 are used for student exchange programmes.
Earlier on May 27, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued an internal memo to the missions abroad to suspended the processing of visas for foreign students temporarily.