Visa Interview Pause

Multiple news outlets have reported that a cable, dated Tuesday, May 27th, and signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has ordered U.S. Embassies and Consulates to pause scheduling new visa interviews for F and J visa applicants. According to these reports the cable reads: “Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued [in a separate telegram], which we anticipate in the coming days.”

• If you already have a scheduled visa interview, attend it as planned. If you receive any communication from the U.S. Embassy/Consulate regarding canceling or changing your existing visa interview, please contact ISSS-Inquiry@umd.edu.
• If you need to schedule a visa interview, complete and submit the DS-160 as soon as possible. Once you submit your DS-160, see if you can schedule a visa interview.  If there is no availability check the US Embassy/consulate Website for updates on interview scheduling.
• It is unclear if this recent news will affect visa processing for students and scholars who are eligible or visa interview waivers. If you have been permitted to use the visa interview waiver, proceed as instructed.
• It is unclear if scholars who are applying for other visas, including but not limited to H-1B, O-1 etc will be affected by this new development, the Department of State cable only refers to F and J visa applicants.  Proceed with your visa application and contact ISSS-inquiry@umd.edu  if you encounter any issues with scheduling a visa interview. 

ISSS is monitoring this temporary pause and will share updates as they become available. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to any ISSS advisor.