Student Visas Are Back, But With New Rules That Might Surprise You
If you’re an international student planning to study in the U.S. this fall—or a parent helping your child through the process—there’s finally some good news: the U.S. has resumed student visa appointments after a month-long freeze.
As of June 18, 2025, embassies and consulates are once again processing F‑1, M‑1, and J‑1 visa interviews. But while this is a major step forward, there are some important changes and a few new challenges you need to be ready for.
Let’s walk through what’s different, what you need to do now, and how to make sure your student visa journey doesn’t hit another unexpected wall.
Visa Appointments Are Open Again — But They’re Backed Up
Even though embassies are now accepting student visa appointments, many of them are dealing with a backlog. Here’s why: all the appointments that were paused during the freeze are now being rescheduled first. That means you might:
See limited or no slots when you log in to book your appointment
Get pushed weeks (or even months) out, depending on your location
Face longer wait times if you're headed to a big-name school with a high number of international students
Some embassies are prioritizing students who are going to U.S. schools with fewer international students. It’s not personal—it’s just how they’re managing the volume.
What to Do:
Check your country’s visa portal daily. New appointments open up as people cancel or reschedule.
Be flexible with your schedule and appointment location, if you’re allowed to choose between consulates.
Let your university know if you can’t get a date soon. Some schools may offer help, such as support letters for expedited requests.
Social Media Must Now Be Public
Here’s one of the biggest changes: all applicants must now set their personal social media accounts to public.
That means U.S. immigration officers will review your online activity as part of the application process—this includes everything from Instagram and TikTok to Reddit and Facebook.
They’re looking for content that could suggest “hostility toward the U.S. or its values.” There’s no public list of red flags, which makes this step confusing—but being proactive can help.
Be Careful With:
Political posts, especially anti-U.S. or protest-related content
Jokes, memes, or sarcasm that could be taken the wrong way
Following or engaging with controversial pages or accounts
Anything violent, offensive, or extremist—even as a joke
3 Things You Should Do Right Now
1. Clean Up Your Social Media
Set all your accounts to public (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, X, Reddit, etc.).
Go through every platform and delete or hide anything that might be misinterpreted.
If you’re not sure about a post, it’s safer to take it down.
2. Talk to Your School
Ask your university if they offer deferral options in case your visa is delayed.
Find out if they have partner schools in other countries (like Canada or the UK) where you could transfer if needed.
See if you can take online classes temporarily if you can’t get to the U.S. on time.
3. Consider Temporary Alternatives (With School Approval)
Some students are applying for visitor visas (B‑2) to attend orientation or begin classes while they wait for their F‑1 to process.
Only do this if your school agrees, and understand it’s a short-term workaround—not a permanent solution.
Tips for the Interview Day
Once you’ve got an appointment, here’s how to be ready:
Make sure your social media accounts are still public.
Bring all your required documents: passport, I‑20, SEVIS receipt, financial papers, acceptance letter.
Be honest and stay calm. If asked about any content on your profiles, explain it clearly and respectfully.
Bring a printout or screenshots of your cleaned profiles as proof you’ve reviewed them in good faith.
This whole process might feel overwhelming—and it’s totally normal to feel anxious. But know this: you’re not alone. Thousands of students and families around the world are navigating the same uncertainty.
Here’s what matters most:
Stay organized.
Be honest and proactive.
Keep in touch with your school every step of the way.
And remember: whether you're applying for your visa next week or just getting started, you’ve already come so far. You’ve worked hard for this opportunity. Don’t let the extra red tape slow you down.