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 new rules with a strict screening process, which means all applicants must set all social media accounts to “public” for government review. So, if you are planning to study in the United States, it’s essential to understand the new requirements and follow them 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 can help you in your visa process.

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

According to international news 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 pose any threats to the 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 following 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:

• Visa officers may have fewer interview slots available.
• Processing could take longer, increasing delays in the application process.
• While applicants are being screened, if any such issue arises, applicants will not be eligible for a US visa.

• 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 such as Search Education for expert guidance.

Search Education has over 10 years of experience offering expert guidance to thousands of students, ensuring their US student visa applications are complete, accurate, and aligned with the latest rules and requirements. Our services include: 

• One-on-one mock interviews and coaching to help you confidently answer questions and present your case to the visa officer.
• Support with your visa interview scheduling and application follow-up process.
• Test preparation classes for IELTS, PTE, and SAT for US university admission.

The resumption of U.S. student visa processing is encouraging news for international students. However, recent updates, including social media screening requirements, make it more important than ever to understand the latest visa policies and prepare a complete, accurate application.