There has been a growing anxiety among students hoping to study abroad, particularly in the United States, amid Trump’s administration crackdown on international students. This fueled after the Trump administration announced plans to revoke visas of Chinese students, especially those linked with the Chinese Communist Party. It will also impact those Chinese students who are engaged in sensitive academic disciplines, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday. 

“The US will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields,” Rubio posted on his social media. 

US student visa: Only fresh scheduling on hold

This has led to a pressing question among international students: What happens to students who already have their visa appointments scheduled? Will they face cancellations too, or are their interviews safe?

According to an official cable signed by Rubio, while new student visa appointments are temporarily on hold, existing appointments will proceed as scheduled. This was further confirmed by US Embassy Spokesperson Christopher Elms in a statement to CNBC-TV18.

“Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued septel, which we anticipate in the coming days,” the cable, signed by Rubio, states. Septel is State Department shorthand for ‘separate telegram’. 

The US has issued more student visas to Indians in the past five years than in 2018, 2019, and 2020 combined, when the total was under one lakh. In 2022 and 2023, 1.1 lakh and 1.3 lakh student visas were granted to Indian students, respectively, for admission to American educational institutions. While the number declined to 86,110 in 2024, India still topped the list of countries receiving US student visas, surpassing China, which received approximately 82,000, The Indian Express reported, citing sources in the Embassy.