The United States government has temporarily suspended the scheduling of new student visa interviews at its embassies and consulates worldwide, including in Nigeria, as it prepares to implement enhanced screening measures focusing on applicants’ social media activity.
The move, which took effect Tuesday, May 27, 2025, follows a directive from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
In a classified cable, Rubio ordered all U.S. consular posts to pause the scheduling of F, M, and J visa interviews—categories typically used by international students and exchange visitors—pending the rollout of updated vetting protocols.
“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,” Rubio wrote in the internal directive.
The suspension applies to embassies and consulates globally, including key Nigerian posts such as the U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate in Lagos.
However, officials clarified that visa interviews already scheduled will proceed as planned.
The new measures are intended to introduce a more comprehensive evaluation of applicants’ digital footprints, a move U.S. officials argue is necessary to address national security concerns.
According to sources familiar with the plan, further guidance on the specifics of the social media screening policy is expected in the coming days.
The development has sparked concern among thousands of aspiring international students, particularly Nigerians, who make up a significant portion of the foreign student population in U.S. universities.
Many students are now uncertain about their study plans, as visa availability remains frozen indefinitely.
This policy shift also comes amid rising political pressure from the Trump administration, which has been vocal in its criticisms of U.S. higher education institutions.
Citing concerns over antisemitic demonstrations and the handling of international student data, federal agencies have moved swiftly to tighten controls.
Just last week, Harvard University lost its certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), effectively barring it from enrolling new international students.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) justified the decision by citing Harvard’s alleged refusal to share behavioral records of foreign students.
In response, the government froze $2.3 billion in federal funding and revoked hundreds of student visas.
Further complicating matters, PREMIUM TIMES recently reported that over 600 students across more than 90 U.S. institutions have seen their visas revoked or immigration status terminated in the past month alone.
Among them is Cynderila Patrick, a Nigerian graduate of Youngstown State University in Ohio, who has filed a lawsuit challenging the cancellation of her student visa.
Her legal challenge joins a growing number of cases being brought by international students.
Last Thursday, a federal judge issued an initial ruling in one of these cases, underscoring the increasing legal scrutiny facing the U.S. government’s immigration policy shift.
Despite backlash, Secretary Rubio defended the decision and indicated that visa revocations are likely to continue.
“We’re going to continue to revoke the visas of people who are here as guests and are disrupting our higher education facilities,” he said. “A visa is a privilege, not a right.”
While officials have stressed that the suspension of new interview appointments is temporary, no timeline has been provided for when scheduling will resume.
For now, prospective students must wait for further announcements as the new screening protocols are finalized.
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