Kenyans aspiring to study in the United States have received positive news as U.S. President Donald Trump has lifted a temporary ban on international student visa processing. This decision comes after a three-week suspension initiated on May 27, during which new student visa appointments were halted. The suspension was part of a broader effort to implement stricter social media vetting for foreign students as a component of immigration reforms.
During the ban, U.S. embassies and consulates were instructed to cease scheduling appointments for student (F), vocational (M), and exchange visitor (J) visa applicants.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the Department of State utilized the suspension to conduct a comprehensive review of the visa screening and vetting processes.
“The Department is conducting a review of existing operations and processes for screening and vetting of student and exchange visitor (F, M, J) visa applicants,” the statement noted. “Based on that review, we plan to issue guidance on expanded social media vetting for all such applicants.”
On June 18, the State Department announced the resumption of visa processing for international students, albeit under new guidelines. Applicants will now be required to maintain public social media accounts, as failure to do so may be interpreted as an attempt to conceal online activity.
“Consular officials will now conduct comprehensive social media checks as part of the vetting process,” the department emphasized. “These enhanced measures are aimed at ensuring we are thoroughly screening every person seeking entry into our country.”
The revised rules apply to all categories of student visas: F visas for academic students, M visas for vocational students, and J visas for exchange program participants. This policy shift occurs amid President Trump’s ongoing crackdown on international education, including initiatives to deport certain foreign students and suspend funding for major universities. Prestigious institutions, such as Harvard University, have felt the impact of these policies, with reports indicating billions of dollars in federal funding have been frozen.
While the resumption of visa processing offers some relief to aspiring Kenyan students, the increased social media scrutiny adds a new layer of complexity for those preparing to study in the U.S.
