On May 27, 2025, Washington decided to suspend student visa processing for foreignersIn the run-up to the start of the new academic year, thousands of young people were plunged into uncertainty. This information has been communicated by the American political media, Politico.
An immediate and widespread freeze
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered the immediate suspension of the issuance of all new student visas, whether F (university studies), M (professional training) or J (exchange programs). American embassies and consulates have been instructed to no longer grant appointments for these requestsWe are awaiting further instructions. Even files already submitted or appointments already scheduled seem to be affected, with several students having their appointments cancelled without notice.
Official reason: to enhance safety
The reason put forward by the Trump administration is the introduction of tighter controls, notably by a systematic examination of candidates' social networks. The stated aim is to ensure that no one representing a risk to national security enters American territory. This tougher stance comes against a tense political backdrop, with a desire to filter out people suspected of links with radical groups or of posting content deemed problematic online.
Consequences for students and universities
This suspension comes at a strategic time, when May and June are the key months for visa applications for the start of the school year in August or September. Thousands of foreign students, including more than 8,000 French students every year, have their plans put into question. American universities, which rely heavily on international students, are worried about the impact of this measure on their attractiveness and finances.
Hundreds of foreign students have already had their visas revoked in recent months, and some legal students who have taken part in pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been arrested and threatened with expulsion. At Harvard, many international students wonder about the possibility of transferring to other institutions or countries..
"What worries me most is not so much that I won't get my visa, but that it will be revoked during the year, because we've seen students and researchers arrested and expelled".
French student
A climate of uncertainty
Faced with this situation, the French government has promised "fallback solutions" for the students concerned, so that they can continue their studies in France or elsewhere in Europe if their American project falls through. It remains unclear how long the suspension will last: the State Department is planning to issue new guidelines "in the next few days".but no precise timetable has been given.
This measure, which may only be temporary, is part of a climate of tension around immigration and security in the run-up to the American elections. For the time being, students, families and institutions remain on hold, with no guarantee that the situation will be resolved before the start of the academic year.
The suspension of American student visas, unprecedented in its scope, is thus disrupting the landscape of international mobility, and raising serious concerns among young people around the world.
Chinese student visas revoked
The United States has announced that it will revoke the visas of certain Chinese studentsMany Chinese students in the USA, such as Deng Zhifei and Liqin at Johns Hopkins University, are expressing incomprehension and concern about the future. Many Chinese students in the USA, such as Deng Zhifei and Liqin from Johns Hopkins University, are expressing incomprehension and concern about the future, with some considering leaving the country or looking to other destinations for their studies. With over 270,000 Chinese students enrolled in the 2023-2024 academic year, China represents a significant share of foreign students in the United States, just behind India.
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