The US State Department has restarted processing student visa applications after a short pause. The pause was made to introduce new rules for checking applicants more closely. Under these new rules, all student visa applicants must now share access to their public social media accounts. US officials will review posts and activities to check for any content that shows hatred towards the US government, people, culture, or values. “This will help us carefully check everyone who wants to come to the US,” the department said in a statement.

Last month, the Trump administration stopped scheduling student visa interviews to prepare for these new checks. That pause is now over, and US consulates have started accepting applications again. Students from countries like India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines, who were eagerly waiting, are now rushing to get their visas before the new school term starts.

This policy is a big change in the way student visas are given. The added social media screening could affect thousands of international students planning to study in the US.

Pause on visas

The Trump administration paused new student visa interviews at the end of May to prepare for stricter background checks. Although over 400,000 student visas were issued in the 2024 fiscal year, the pause raised concerns about delays for the upcoming academic session.

New instructions have been sent to U.S. embassies worldwide, asking officials to allow more time to check applicants’ social media accounts. These embassies are in charge of approving or rejecting visa requests. A similar policy was recently introduced for people joining Harvard University for studies, teaching, or research.

With stricter screening for new applicants, student visa holders already in the U.S. have also faced increased monitoring. In recent months, some students who joined pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses have had their visas or legal status cancelled. In certain cases, writing an article or teaching a class was viewed as support for Hamas or seen as antisemitic. These actions were considered against U.S. foreign policy.

Under such allegations, the U.S Secretary of State has the authority to revoke visas. Some of these visa cancellation cases are now being challenged in court.This shift in policy adds pressure on international students and may impact thousands hoping to study in the U.S.