U.S. Suspends New F-1 & J-1 Visa Interviews – May 2025 Update

What Has Changed?

Effective immediately, U.S. embassies and consulates have paused the scheduling of new interviews for the following visa categories:

• F-1: Student Visa
• M-1: Vocational Student Visa
• J-1: Exchange Visitor Visa

Key Important Clarifications:

• Interviews already scheduled will proceed as planned
• This does not currently affect visa renewals or other non-immigrant categories
•  petition is revoked.
• The directive has global applicability and is not limited to specific countries or regions approval.

Why Is This Happening?

The temporary suspension is intended to allow the U.S. government to:

• Develop and implement enhanced social media screening protocols
• Strengthen the vetting process for foreign nationals entering the U.S. for education and cultural exchange.

This measure aligns with ongoing trends in U.S. immigration policy, which increasingly emphasize security and digital transparency.

Potential Impacts

For International Students:

• Delays in visa issuance could disrupt plans for Fall 2025 and future intakes
• Increased uncertainty may deter students from choosing U.S. institutions

For Academic Institutions:

• Possible decline in international enrollments, impacting tuition revenues and campus diversity
• Administrative burden to assist affected students with updated timelines and options

For the U.S. Economy and Global Standing:

• Over 1 million international students currently contribute more than $40 billion to the U.S. economy annually
• This decision may affect the global perception of the U.S. as a welcoming destination for higher education

What Should Students and Institutions Do?

Given the fluidity of the situation, we recommend the following steps:

For Students:

• Monitor updates via the U.S. State Department and local embassies
• Prepare documentation early and be flexible with intake plans
• Consult with certified immigration professionals to understand alternative pathways

For Institutions:

• Communicate proactively with affected students
• Consider hybrid or deferred start options where possible
• Stay engaged with immigration partners to anticipate and adapt to further policy changes

How Anywr Can Help:

At Anywr, we specialize in global mobility and immigration support across multiple destinations. Our teams are actively monitoring this development and are available to:

• Provide up-to-date guidance on U.S. student visa processing
• Assist institutions in communicating with impacted students
• Offer strategic advice to ensure compliance and continuity in international student admissions

Conclusion

While the current suspension creates short-term challenges, it also underscores the need for flexible, informed immigration strategies in today’s evolving global landscape.

As always, we remain committed to supporting students, institutions, and businesses through transparent, timely, and expert-driven immigration solutions.

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About Anywr

Anywr is a French international group specializing in the global Talent mobility and international recruitment. The company supports businesses in the search and integration of international talent, offering a complete range of services from sourcing to settlement. Anywr has a network of over 300 consultants in 16 countries. A member of the FrenchTech 120, the group is now composed of nearly 900 employees worldwide, with 400 in France, serving the largest French and international groups. Anywr is an innovative and responsible company, committed to its communities, which puts its expertise and solutions at the service of social integration projects and diversity. ANYWR has adopted the status of a Mission-led Company (Loi Pacte) since June 2021.

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