- State officials indicate an update on the Trump administration’s controversial freeze on new student visa appointments will come in a matter of days.
- No details on extent of appointment backlog, as international education stakeholders express concerns about incoming students’ ability to get a visa on time.
- Government insists no existing visa appointments have been cancelled since the pause, despite contradictory reports from NAFSA.
In a June 3 press briefing, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce announced that an update on the ongoing pause in student visa interview scheduling is expected “before the end of the week.”
“The original cable indicated it would be a matter of days,” Bruce noted, explaining that the delay is to ensure embassies and consulates are fully prepared. “This is not a never-ending dynamic,” she emphasized, suggesting that a resolution is on the horizon.
Optimism Mixed with Caution
Edwin van Rest, CEO of Studyportals, described the development as “tentatively positive” in a LinkedIn post. However, he noted that recent actions by the U.S. government have left many stakeholders cautious. Speaking to The PIE News, van Rest expressed hope that scheduling would soon resume, but warned that the lack of clarity is causing significant disruption.
“Since the May 27 announcement, the demand share for the U.S. as a study destination dropped by over 20%,” he said, pointing to the uncertainty’s tangible impact.
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Delays Expected Even After Reopening
Bruce mentioned that once interviews resume, the process will “go pretty quickly,” but she provided no timeline for addressing the existing backlog. The Presidents’ Alliance reports that more than half of international students who have accepted offers from U.S. colleges still cannot book visa interviews.
“This is one of the busiest times of the year for international students,” said Zuzana Cepla Wootson, Deputy Director of Federal Policy at the Presidents’ Alliance. “Even if appointments resume soon, delays and disruptions are inevitable.”
Background of the Freeze
The initial pause was communicated via a cable on May 27. The State Department instructed consulates to halt scheduling while it prepared to expand required social media screening and vetting. Officials had indicated guidance would follow in a few days.
On May 29, the State Department directed consulates to begin enhanced screening of Harvard applicants for anti-Semitism—labeling this a pilot program that would expand. Observers are now waiting to see if broader implementation will affect students across other institutions.
Contradictions and Confusion
Despite Bruce’s assertion that “no appointments have been cancelled or eliminated,” NAFSA—the Association of International Educators—reported otherwise. On May 30, the group noted that some visa interviews had been cancelled, although others still received visas, since the freeze specifically affects new appointments.
“The lack of consistent communication has only increased anxiety,” Wootson stated. “This isn’t happening in isolation.” She cited SEVIS terminations and visa revocations as contributing to international students’ fears.
The lack of centralized, public-facing information has also made it difficult for students to plan their next steps. Many have been left to rely on hearsay, fragmented embassy updates, or unofficial forums, increasing stress during a critical point in the enrollment cycle.
Long-Term Impact on U.S. Higher Ed
Wootson warned that this uncertainty could seriously damage the U.S.’s global reputation in higher education. “For students making major life decisions, uncertainty like this can be a dealbreaker,” she said. “It threatens America’s competitiveness and leadership in education, research, and innovation.”
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