Audio By Carbonatix
The U.S. State Department said Wednesday it is restarting the suspended process for foreigners applying for student visas but all applicants will now be required to unlock their social media accounts for government review.
The department said consular officers will be on the lookout for posts and messages that could be deemed hostile to the United States, its government, culture, institutions or founding principles.
In a notice made public Wednesday, the department said it had rescinded its May suspension of student visa processing but said new applicants who refuse to set their social media accounts to “public” and allow them to be reviewed may be rejected. It said a refusal to do so could be a sign they are trying to evade the requirement or hide their online activity.
The Trump administration last month temporarily halted the scheduling of new visa interviews for foreign students hoping to study in the U.S. while preparing to expand the screening of their activity on social media, officials said.
Students around the world have been waiting anxiously for U.S. consulates to reopen appointments for visa interviews, as the window left to book their travel and make housing arrangements narrows ahead of the start of the school year.
On Wednesday afternoon, a 27-year-old Ph.D. student in Toronto was able to secure an appointment for a visa interview next week. The student, a Chinese national, hopes to travel to the U.S. for a research internship that would start in late July.
“I’m really relieved,” said the student, who spoke on condition of being identified only by his surname, Chen, because he was concerned about being targeted. “I’ve been refreshing the website couple of times every day.”
Students from China, India, Mexico and the Philippines have posted on social media sites that they have been monitoring visa booking websites and closely watching press briefings of the State Department to get any indication of when appointment scheduling might resume.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana EXIM Bank develops 5-year export-led growth strategy to drive trade expansion
20 minutes -
Big Smiles, Bigger Bounces: Kids take over the fun at the Joy Party in the Park
52 minutes -
Joy FM Party in the Park 2025: Kwabena Kwabena takes centre stage
1 hour -
Ghana-Nigeria cyber-fraud network dupes over 200 victims of $400,000
1 hour -
Tackling terrorism requires jobs and anti-corruption drive, not strikes alone – Nigerian security analyst
1 hour -
Terror attacks in Nigeria affect all faiths, not only Christians – Security analyst
1 hour -
$120,000 stolen from Ghanaian financial institution by hackers – INTERPOL
1 hour -
Modern security management defined by trust – IGP
2 hours -
The True Significance of Christmas: Pagan origins or Christian celebration
2 hours -
US strikes on terrorists in Nigeria timely and strategic – Security analyst
2 hours -
Patrons dance through drizzles at Joy FM’s Party in the Park 2025
2 hours -
Samini thrills fans at the 2025 Samini Xperience concert
2 hours -
Gov’t targets 99.9% electricity access by 2030 as Awurahae, Sapor get power after decades
2 hours -
Ghana EXIM Bank repositioned to reduce import bill on rice, poultry – CEO assures
2 hours -
Photos: Hundreds turn out for Joy FM’s 2025 family party in the park
3 hours
