U.S. Embassies Resume Student Visa Appointments
After halting new interviews for three weeks, U.S. Embassies and Consulates have resumed scheduling F, M, and J student visa appointments in many locations. New appointments will receive more intense screening of their online and social media presence. If an applicant’s online presence is found to contain derogatory information, more extensive security screening may be triggered, resulting in increased delays and possible visa refusal. Applicants will be directed to set their social media accounts to a public setting. If the applicant keeps portions of their account set to private or otherwise limited, a negative inference can be drawn regarding the applicant’s credibility. The State Department has warned previously that the lack of an online or social media presence can also lead to a negative inference in some situations. According to press reports, the updated vetting guidelines instruct consular officers to assess applicants for:
Signs of hostility toward U.S. citizens, culture, government, institutions, or core founding values;
Evidence of support for or involvement with designated foreign terrorist organizations, threats to U.S. national security, or engagement in unlawful antisemitic harassment or violence;
Potential intent to steal sensitive technical information, misuse U.S. research and development, or disseminate disinformation for political or other purposes; and
A history of political activism and the likelihood that such activity would continue while in the United States.
If concerning information is identified, the officer may deny the visa or request a follow-up interview. Such findings can also lead to additional screening to determine whether the applicant is likely to comply with U.S. laws and engage only in activities appropriate for their visa classification.
