Recent reporting has highlighted changes to student visa processes and new policies from the U.S. State Department, as outlined below. We are closely monitoring these developments and encourage members of the GW community to stay informed, including by following GW’s Weekly Federal Updates. Our current and incoming international students, scholars, faculty, and staff are an essential and valued part of the university community, and we remain committed to providing timely support and information for our international community.
An Update on New Student Visa Processing
GW is monitoring reports that the U.S. State Department has instructed U.S. embassies to pause the scheduling of visa interviews for international students and visiting scholars, until the State Department issues additional guidelines that will include expanded social media screening for visa applicants. Students with previously scheduled interviews should confirm their appointments and proceed as planned. Those with no appointment should monitor consulate websites for availability, as new appointments may be delayed.
New Student Visa Policies
On May 28, Secretary Rubio announced new visa policies that would “aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields” and “revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong.” GW remains committed to supporting its international community amid evolving federal visa and immigration policies.
Additional Resources