The United States has suspended the scheduling of new student visa interviews across the world, affecting Nigerians and other foreign applicants.
This change is due to a new directive from the US government, which plans to introduce more checks on applicants’ social media activity.
The instruction came from the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who sent out a message to American embassies and consulates globally.
As a result, people seeking to study in the US, including many Nigerians applying for the popular F-1 student visa, will not be able to book new interview appointments at this time.
However, interviews that have already been scheduled will still go ahead.
This pause in new bookings is temporary, but no one can proceed with the visa process without the interview step.
The US says it is preparing to roll out a tougher screening system that will include reviewing what applicants post or do on their social media accounts.
Further instructions about this are expected soon.
The move comes as the US government claims some international students have encouraged a tense atmosphere in American universities.
In response, the government has taken steps such as canceling student visas and cutting off university programmes that host foreign students.
Just last week, Harvard University lost its approval to enrol international students after reportedly refusing to provide behaviour records of some visa holders.
This action followed the freezing of over $2 billion in government funding for the school.
The US has also canceled the visas of hundreds of international students in the past few months, with many facing legal issues or being removed from school.
He actually did the right thing.
If we improve and invest very well in our educational system, we won’t have ourselves and our children running abroad to study… Cause the fact that our educational system are all messed up is a valid reason for him not to trust us in their country’s schools.