U.S. Pauses New F-1 Visa Interviews

On May 27, 2025, POLITICO reported that the U.S. State Department may soon implement a full pause on new interview appointments for F-1, J-1, and M-1 visa applicants. According to a leaked diplomatic cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, this pause is to prepare for an expanded policy requiring mandatory social media screening for all international students and scholars applying for U.S. visas.

While it’s still unclear whether interviews scheduled on or after May 28 will be canceled, some applicants with appointments on May 28 confirmed their interviews proceeded as usual, with mixed outcomes: some were approved, some denied, and others placed under administrative processing.

What Did the Leaked Memo Say?

According to the leaked State Department memo:

“In preparation for expanding mandatory social media screening requirements, consular sections should not add new F, M, or J visa appointments until further guidance is issued in the coming days.”

In short, no new student or exchange visitor visa interview slots will be added for now. This could lead to serious delays, especially with the summer rush for fall 2025 enrollments just beginning.

Background: Why This Is Alarming

This development follows several concerning immigration policy shifts from the Trump administration since his return to office:

• In April, a USCIS systems error caused thousands of F-1 students to lose their SEVIS status.
• The administration is escalating tensions with top U.S. universities like Harvard by threatening to revoke their ability to enroll international students.
• In recent months, DHS signaled that social media content could be grounds for denying visa or immigration applications, particularly posts critical of the U.S. or its allies.

And now, it appears that the administration is preparing a sweeping new policy to examine visa applicants’ online presence, possibly including platforms such as Weibo, Xiaohongshu, Douyin, Instagram, and Reddit.

Why Should You Care?

• Your digital footprint is no longer private. Every post you like, share, or comment on could become part of your visa review. You can see the screenshot below, the "social media" section was optional, but now, it is required.

• If fully implemented, this policy could slow down processing times, reduce student visa approvals, and impact U.S. universities that rely heavily on international student enrollment.
• In the 2023–2024 academic year, over 1.1 million international students studied in the U.S. Indian students accounted for the largest group, followed by Chinese students. Roughly 25% of these students are in STEM fields like computer science and engineering, fields that heavily rely on practical training programs like OPT and CPT.

At the Same Time… Another Policy Shift?

Reddit users also noticed that USCIS quietly archived an important resource page that explained how foreign workers on visas like H-1B, L-1, and O-1 could maintain legal status during periods of unemployment.

This page originally outlined the well-known 60-day grace period for H-1B workers who lose their jobs. Now, with that page archived and flagged as outdated, there’s growing speculation that the government might restrict or eliminate this 60-day protection.

While there's no official announcement yet, possible future changes could include:

• Adjusting when the 60-day period starts (e.g., from the termination notice instead of the last paycheck).
• Requiring workers to receive approval, not just a receipt notice, within the 60 days.
• Limiting the ability to switch to a B-2 visa during job loss—a commonly used bridge to stay legally in the U.S.

What You Should Do Now

• If you already have a visa interview scheduled, don’t panic—but monitor updates closely.
• Avoid posting controversial or politically sensitive content online. Scrutinize your social media history and privacy settings.
• If you're on F-1 and considering Day 1 CPT or other options to maintain status, now is the time to act.
• H-1B holders: Keep a plan in place in case of unexpected unemployment or policy shifts. If you're unsure of your options, consult an immigration attorney or reach out to GoElite for support.

We understand how stressful these developments can be, especially when so much is uncertain. GoElite will continue monitoring both the student visa situation and H-1B policy changes. We’ll keep you updated with verified, actionable insights to help you stay prepared and compliant.

Stay safe, stay smart, and follow us for the latest updates.

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