Counselors are urging foreign students applying to U.S. colleges to avoid certain topics online as the State Department scrutinizes their social media.

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has temporarily paused the scheduling of new visa interviews for international students and exchange visitors applying for F, M and J visas. This directive, effective May 27, 2025, is part of a broader national security initiative to expand social media and security vetting for nonimmigrant visa applicants.