Hong Kong students in US visa limbo although ‘interview bookings available’
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has directed American embassies and consulates worldwide to stop scheduling student visa interviews

Hongkongers hoping to pursue tertiary education in the United States are grappling with uncertainties after the US government halted scheduling interviews for student visas, although a consultancy said online bookings were still available on Wednesday.
According to a diplomatic cable on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio directed American embassies and consulates worldwide to stop scheduling student visa interviews as the Trump administration considered more expansive social media vetting of applicants.
A US consulate spokesman in Hong Kong said that the State Department would not comment on internal communications, while the Trump administration focused on protecting public safety in the country by upholding the highest standards for visa processes.
The consulate said the scheduling of non-immigrant visa interview appointments was dynamic and its capacity reflected the time required to adjudicate cases in full compliance with US law.

The consulate also noted that the State Department had required visa applicants to provide social media identifiers on immigrant and non-immigrant visa application forms since 2019.