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In a notice made public Wednesday, the department said it had rescinded its May suspension of student visa processing but said new applicants who refuse to set their social media accounts to “public” and allow them to be reviewed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
-
At least 13 photos removed from justice department Epstein files website
4 minutes -
Margins sets example in Urban Renewal and Climate Resilience
6 minutes -
Rights groups condemn new record number of executions in Saudi Arabia
14 minutes -
Another 130 abducted schoolchildren released in Nigeria
23 minutes -
Ken Ofori-Atta and Ghana’s Loudest Trial Before Evidence
29 minutes -
What if plastics could feed people, not pollute them?
33 minutes -
NPP’s Irene Naa Torshie rallies Volta Region delegates behind Kennedy Agyapong
39 minutes -
Vote for me on the basis of my competence, track record, integrity and vision – Bawumia appeals to NPP delegates
44 minutes -
I never take anything for granted; I believe in working hard for Success – Bawumia on engaging delegates nationwide
48 minutes -
Team Ghana Shines at 2025 African Youth Games
1 hour -
Exiting December 2025
1 hour -
Man Utd ‘could make January signing’ amid Neves link
5 hours -
Yamal strikes as leaders Barcelona go 4 points clear
5 hours -
Kane scores as Bayern thrash Heidenheim to end year on high
5 hours -
Ontario Police bust international car theft ring including Ghanaian with 306 stolen vehicles recovered
5 hours
