Updated 05/30/2025
On May 27, 2025, a news report confirmed that the Administration has announced a temporary delay in scheduling new visa appointments for F and J applicants as they prepare a new effort to increase vetting of social media accounts of applicants. While new appointments are on hold, it is important to note that those who already have scheduled visa appointments will not be affected by this delay and should expect their appointments to proceed as planned. On May 30, 2025, a Department of State press briefing confirmed that this should be a short delay of several days, rather than weeks or months. F-1 and J-1 visa applicants are encouraged to continue preparing and submitting applications, and to check regularly for the resumption of visa appointment availability in the near future.
It appears that this delay is an attempt on the part of the administration to update existing guidance around social media vetting to eliminate confusion around previous guidance issued to consular officers. As of now, the full details of the new vetting procedures remain under review, and BIO will continue to monitor and share updates as more information becomes available.
Given these recent developments, we urge all prospective F-1 and J-1 visa applicants to prepare for potential delays in visa processing, particularly for those seeking to apply over the Summer months. These delays may have implications for your ability to enter or re-enter the U.S. on time, especially if you are in need of a visa renewal. If you anticipate any delays in your arrival to Berkeley for Summer or Fall 2025 or have any questions, please feel free to contact BIO so that we can assist you accordingly. You can find our contact information and advising hours here.
Campus partners should consider that there may be delays in the arrival of students to your program and plan accordingly to ensure academic success. We recommend reviewing all relevant options (including late arrival, deferral, or withdrawal) and deadlines when advising students who may require guidance on their academic plans and the possibility of late arrival.