This appears to be related to reports that the U.S. government has instructed its embassies and consular offices overseas to temporarily suspend such procedures as it prepares to mandate social media screening for students planning to study in the U.S.
The embassy's website no longer shows available dates for those seeking to schedule interviews for student visas, according to posts on online communities here.
The embassy merely said it will proceed with previously scheduled interviews, but new interview appointments are expected to be delayed, although applicants may still apply.
The development came after U.S. news outlet Politico reported on Tuesday that the U.S is "weighing requiring all foreign students applying to study in the United States to undergo social media vetting," citing an internal cable signed by the Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The U.S. State of Department also announced the following day a "new visa restriction policy that will apply to foreign nationals who are responsible for censorship of protected expression" in the U.S.
The move follows a recent ban preventing the country's prestigious Harvard University from admitting non-U.S. students, amid a broader crackdown on pro-Palestine and other foreign students that has led to visa revocations and deportations.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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