The US Embassy in South Korea is reportedly planning to temporarily suspend related services in response to an order from the second Donald Trump administration instructing diplomatic missions worldwide to temporarily halt student visa interviews.
On May 28, the US Embassy in South Korea announced in a press release, "The scheduling of nonimmigrant visa interviews by the State Department is flexible," adding, "The capacity of embassies or consulates reflects the time required for consular officers to fully comply with US law and review each case assigned to them. This includes procedures to ensure that applicants do not pose a threat to the security or safety of the United States."
Previously, after the outbreak of the Gaza War in October 2023, a series of anti-Semitic or pro-Palestinian protests took place at several US universities. In response, the Trump administration introduced social media (SNS) screening requirements for foreign students who participated in these protests. The administration canceled a large number of visas for international students and researchers involved in related demonstrations and significantly strengthened the screening process for student visa applicants. According to US media, Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered the suspension of additional scheduling for related visa interviews until further notice, in order to implement a policy making SNS screening mandatory for foreign students wishing to study in the United States. The "procedures to ensure that applicants do not pose a threat to the security or safety of the United States" mentioned by the US Embassy appear to be related to this policy.
However, the US Embassy stated, "Visa applicants may continue to submit their applications," and added, "The consular section is continuously adjusting its scheduling to ensure sufficient time to thoroughly review submitted applications."
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