The United States government has announced a global suspension of new student visa interview appointments, including for Nigerian applicants, as part of a sweeping policy change aimed at tightening security protocols.
The directive, issued by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, instructs American embassies and consulates worldwide to halt the scheduling of new visa interviews for prospective international students. The move comes ahead of the implementation of a more stringent vetting system that will include comprehensive reviews of applicants’ social media activity.
This change primarily impacts those seeking the F-1 visa—a popular student visa category among Nigerians and other international students hoping to pursue education in the U.S. While previously scheduled interviews will proceed as planned, no new appointments can be booked at this time.
The U.S. Department of State has not provided a definitive timeline for when new interview slots will resume, leaving thousands of students in uncertainty as academic sessions draw near.
In a related development, the U.S. government has justified the decision by citing increasing concerns about safety and behavioral issues among some international students. In recent months, several student visas have been revoked, and some academic programs hosting foreign students have been canceled.
One of the most high-profile cases involved Harvard University, which reportedly lost its federal approval to enroll international students after declining to provide behavioral reports for certain visa holders. This development was accompanied by the suspension of over $2 billion in federal funding to the university.
Analysts say the policy shift reflects growing caution within U.S. immigration policy circles, with social media activity becoming a key area of scrutiny for all visa applicants.
Prospective students and stakeholders have expressed concern about the timing of the decision and its potential impact on international education access.
Further details and implementation guidelines from the U.S. State Department are expected in the coming days.
