State Department Instructs US Embassies to Pause Student Visa Interviews

The temporary halt is part of the department’s effort to enhance the social media screening and vetting process of foreign students.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio testifies before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 20, 2025. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

WASHINGTON—The U.S. State Department ordered American embassies worldwide to pause student visa interviews effective May 27, a senior department official confirmed to The Epoch Times.

The temporary suspension, outlined in an internal cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is part of the department’s effort to strengthen the vetting process, particularly in relation to social media screening.

The internal cable directs consular sections not to add any appointment slots for student and exchange visitor visas (F, M, and J categories) “until further guidance is issued” in the coming days.

The senior official confirmed the authenticity of the internal communication leaked to the media on the morning of May 27.

During a press briefing that same day, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce emphasized the department’s commitment to screening visa applications, without commenting directly about the leaked cable.

“We take very seriously the process of vetting who it is that comes into the country,” she told reporters.

When asked what has changed in the vetting system, Bruce declined to reveal details of the methods used.

“We’re not going to lay out here with the media, the nature of the steps that are taken, the methods that we use,” she said.

“We’ve always vetted people trying to come in. We’ve always looked at visas seriously,” she said, questioning why it had become such a controversial issue.

“Whether they be students, or if you’re a tourist who needs a visa, or whoever you are, we’re going to be looking at you.”

Bruce also declined to say whether the pause would delay foreign students’ arrival for the fall semester. “I can’t speak about what the individual experience will be.”

“There is no right to a student visa,” Rubio told reporters in March. “We can cancel a student visa under the law just the same way that we can deny a student visa under the law.  And we will do so in cases we find appropriate.”

Rubio added that “the overwhelming majority of student visas” will not be revoked, emphasizing that most international students are not connected to organizations that intend to harm the United States or oppose its government and way of life.

“I just think it’s crazy to continue to provide visas so people can come here and advocate for policies that are in direct contradiction of our national interest.”

Last week, the Department of Homeland Security announced that Harvard would no longer be allowed to enroll foreign students. This action, however, has been put on hold by the courts following legal action taken by the university.

According to a new letter dated May 27, the Trump administration has requested federal agencies to cut off their contracts with Harvard University. There are 30 federal contracts worth about $100 million, according to the General Services Administration (GSA).

The administration has already canceled around $2.6 billion in federal grants after the university declined to accede to a list of government demands to change policies concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and anti-Semitism. The university has sued the administration, alleging the move violates the Constitution’s free speech protections.

On May 25, Trump also announced on Truth Social post that he wanted the “names and countries” of every foreign student enrolled at Harvard University.

“We are still waiting for the Foreign Student Lists from Harvard,” Trump said in a May 26 post.

“Harvard is very slow in the presentation of these documents, and probably for good reason! The best thing Harvard has going for it is that they have shopped around and found the absolute best Judge (for them!) - But have no fear, the Government will, in the end, WIN!”

Jackson Richman and Aaron Gifford contributed to this report.