U.S. Government Resumes Visas for Foreign Students After a Long Pause: Here is What Nepali Students Need to Know

Finally, after a long pause, the U.S. government has now officially resumed the student visa application process as of June 18, 2025.

The main reason behind this pause is to introduce the new rules with a strict screening process, which means all applicants must set all social media account settings to “public” for government review.  

So, as an international student, if you are planning to study in the United States, it’s essential to understand the new requirements and follow the rules set by the government to avoid visa refusals.

In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about the new US student visa rules (F1 visa) and how Search Education Nepal can help you in your visa process. 

On May 27, 2025, the U.S. government announced that they will pause the student visa applications to implement a strict screening process. This pause applied to F, M, and J visa categories, affecting international students and exchange visitors.  

According to international news media outlets, the main reason behind this move is to ensure that applicants who wish to study in the USA have no criminal record and are good immigrants while staying in the US. This means students must come to the United States only to study and should not possess any threats to U.S. government, culture, or institutions. 

But as of June 18, 2025, the government has now resumed the student visa application process after a long pause along with strict rules. 

As per U.S. government rules all student visa applicants including F (academic student), M (vocational student), and J (exchange visitor) visa categories must know the below rules: 

• Set all social media accounts to “public” for government review. 
• Applicants' online activity will be monitored 
• Both new and returning students will be subject to these checks. 

With a strict screening process, the visa officers will take more time per application, so as a result: 

• Some visa officers may have fewer available slots for interviews.  
• Processing time could take more time, increasing delays in the application process. 
• While applicants screening, if there arises any such issue, then applicants will not be eligible for US visa. 

At Search Education Nepal, we offer expert guidance to ensure your student visa application is complete, accurate, and aligned with the latest rules and requirements.  

Our services include: 

• We provide one-on-one mock interviews and coaching to help you confidently answer questions and present your case to the visa officer.
• We will support your visa interview scheduling and application follow-up process.
• We offer test preparation classes for IELTS, PTE, and SAT for US university admission. 

Here are some tips we want you to know before starting your US visa application: 

• Set all the social media accounts to “public” for review.  
• Apply for your visa as soon as possible to avoid any delays.  
• Stay updated on visa appointment availability through official channels.  
• Contact trusted education consultants like Search Education Nepal for expert guidance. 

The resumption of U.S. student visa processing is welcome news for international students, although the new social media background check is a complicating factor. Be aware, plan ahead, and obtain professional help to reduce the risk of delay or issue.  

Search Education Nepal is here to assist you every step of the way. Get in touch with us today for a free consultation and take your first step towards your study abroad aspiration.