What international students should prepare for studying in the US this year

The Trump administration late last month suspended the scheduling of new visa interviews for foreign students while preparing to expand the screening of their social media activity. The move came just as many international students were preparing for the fall semester.

The U.S. State Department announced Wednesday it would resume student visa processing, but with new conditions. According to AFP, all applicants will now be required to make their social media accounts publicly accessible for government review. Consular officers will assess whether any posts are hostile toward the U.S., its government, institutions, or founding principles.

A department notice stated that applicants who refuse to set their accounts to public may be denied a visa, as such refusal could be interpreted as an attempt to conceal concerning content.

William Cooper, Marketing Director at insurance provider William Russell, warned that visa processing remains inconsistent, according to Financial Express.

He advised students to monitor embassy communications and appointment schedules regularly; notify universities and lenders of any visa-related delays; request late-arrival letters from schools to help with travel and enrollment issues; keep detailed records of communications with schools and embassies; be aware that social media profiles may now be scrutinized and seek advice if unsure what may raise red flags.

"You must keep a record of everything, especially any communications with your school and the embassy, in case delays affect your start date or immigration status," Cooper said.

Sripal Jain, Co-Founder of Simandhar Education, stressed the importance of proactive planning.

"International students must be more strategic and vigilant than ever, as the landscape is shifting rapidly," he told Financial Express.

He recommended that students begin the application and visa process as early as possible; follow updates from official embassy sources closely; choose SEVP-certified institutions, which are schools approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP); maintain financial flexibility to handle delays; build a strong application that highlights academic goals and adaptability.

Manisha Zaveri, Joint Managing Director of Career Mosaic, emphasized compliance with visa regulations.
She urged students to stay informed about policy changes; maintain full-time enrollment; avoid unauthorized employment; and stay in regular contact with school advisors and legal experts.

The Trump administration previously revoked F-1 visas and canceled SEVIS records, but many of those actions were reversed following court intervention. Despite that, international students continue to face uncertainty due to inconsistent visa interview availability and restrictions at specific institutions, such as Harvard.

Early this month, President Trump issued a proclamation temporarily halting visas for newly admitted international students at Harvard. Though swiftly blocked by a judge, the move reflects a broader tightening of immigration policy. The White House also announced a new travel ban and visa restrictions on nationals from 19 countries, effective June 9.

Ongoing legal disputes between U.S. universities and federal agencies have added to the unpredictability.

The U.S. remains a top destination for global learners. According to the Institute of International Education, more than 1.1 million international students from 200 countries and territories were enrolled in U.S. institutions during the 2023–2024 academic year, accounting for 5.9% of total enrollment, the highest number on record.

India and China made up 54% of those students, while Vietnam ranked sixth with 22,066 students.