The U.S. Department of State has paused the scheduling of all F, M, & J Student & Exchange Visitor visa interviews at U.S. embassies abroad.
As reported in the New York Times and Washington Post, on May 27, 2025, Secretary of State Rubio circulated an internal Department of State (DOS) Cable that ordered a pause on scheduling visa interviews for all F, M, and J student and exchange visitor visa categories.
The basis for the “pause” on F, M, J visa interviews is to allow DOS to engage in its enhanced vetting/screening of social media for all student and exchange visa applicants, in order to ensure that the State Department does not issue visas to individuals who have demonstrated views that the Trump administration considers antisemitic, a threat to public safety or a threat to national security .
According to the DOS Cable, the scheduling of F, M, and J visa interviews will resume after the publication of updated guidance regarding enhanced social media vetting. This abrupt announcement from DOS is likely to impact student enrollment and staffing for the 2025/2026 school year at schools and universities across the United States.
Under the directive from Secretary Rubio, individuals who are already scheduled for their F, M, J visa interview at the U.S. Embassy abroad should still be able to attend the interview for their scheduled visa interview. These individuals will be heavily scrutinized in their social media profiles, and anything the Trump administration deems antisemitic or as a threat to the national security or public safety of the United States, will likely result in a denial of the visa application.
What does this mean?
J-1 Exchange Visitors
- New J-1 Exchange Visitors for whom DS-2019s have been issued, but who do not yet have a scheduled J-1 visa interview appointment at the U.S. Embassy will not be able to schedule their interviews. It is possible/likely that these folks will not be able to secure their J-1 visas prior to the next school year.
- New J-1 Exchange Visitors for whom DS-2019s have been issued and have already set their J-1 visa interview dates at the U.S. Embassy can attend their J-1 visa interviews. They should be prepared for enhanced vetting/screening, particularly related to their social media profiles.
- Existing J-1 Exchange Visitors who have valid, unexpired J-1 visas that extend past the summer of 2025 (i.e., their visas expire in 2026, 2027 or 2028) technically can travel internationally and return to the USA on their valid, unexpired J-1 visas. However, given the current scrutiny and focus on students and exchange visitors, they should be prepared to be heavily screened when entering the USA and subject to enhanced vetting, particularly with regard to their social media footprint. Please refer to our prior advisals on international travel for foreign nationals for more information.
- Existing J-1 Exchange Visitors whose DS-2019s have been extended in the USA, but do not have valid, unexpired J-1 visas SHOULD NOT TRAVEL INTERNATIONALLY unless they do not plan to return to the United States. They will not be able to have their J-1 visas renewed and will not be able to return to the USA.
At this time, the directive from Secretary Rubio appears to apply to all J-1 exchange visitors, regardless of whether falling under a “student” category. J-1 Teachers, Professors, Au Pairs, Summer Work Travel, etc. all appear impacted by this directive.
F-1 Students
- New F-1 Students for whom Form I-20 has been issued and have already set their F-1 visa interview dates at the U.S. Embassy can attend their F-1 visa interviews. They should be prepared for enhanced vetting/screening, particularly related to their social media profiles.
- F-1 Students in the United States with valid Form I-20s, an active SEVIS record in good standing and valid, unexpired F-1 visas can travel internationally and return to the USA on their valid, unexpired F-1 visas. However, given the current scrutiny and focus on students and exchange visitors, they should be prepared to be heavily screened when entering the USA and subject to enhanced vetting, particularly with regard to their social media footprint. Please refer to our prior advisals on international travel for foreign nationals for more information.
- Existing F-1 employees with Optional Practical Training (OPT) and OPT STEM Extension whose I-20 Forms have been extended in the USA, but do not have valid, unexpired F-1 visas SHOULD NOT TRAVEL INTERNATIONALLY unless they do not plan to return to the United States. They will not be able to have their F-1 visas renewed and will not be able to return to the USA.
- Existing F-1 Students whose I-20 Forms have been extended in the USA, but do not have valid, unexpired F-1 visas SHOULD NOT TRAVEL INTERNATIONALLY unless they do not plan to return to the United States. They will not be able to have their F-1 visas renewed and will not be able to return to the USA.
- The above advice applies equally to J-2 and F-2 Dependents as it does to J-1 and F-1 principal applicants.
It is unclear whether the pause on F, M and J visas applies to those who are eligible for visa interview waivers.
This advisal is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. You should not act or rely on any information in this article without seeking the advice of a competent, licensed immigration attorney.
Contact us today to learn more about how this change may affect your specific organization or personal situation. If you have any questions about this or any other immigration issue or for more information on the rapidly changing field of U.S. immigration law and policy, please contact Kolko & Casey, P.C.