"Given the recent updates regarding the temporary pause in student visa appointments, we know there are concerns about the timeliness of receiving your U.S. visa for August. Our office and universities across the United States are monitoring the situation carefully and will provide updates. For students who already secured visa appointments, the U.S. Department of State spokesperson confirmed that they are still following the normal visa application process.

Students who have not yet received a visa appointment may face delays in scheduling in the upcoming weeks, as embassies await further guidance on the process. If the communication changes, our office will provide an immediate update. At UNCW, we like to say: “Once a Seahawk, always a Seahawk.” You are valuable members of our community and we look forward to welcoming you very soon."

✅ What we know:
The U.S. State Department is temporarily pausing interviews abroad with foreign citizens applying for student and exchange visas to expand applicants' social media vetting.

❓ What we don’t know:
International education remains a vital force within the United States, and while we cannot know for sure when, we believe interviews are likely to resume relatively quickly.

💡 What this means for you and your students:
Enrollment timelines may be longer than expected, but students will still be able to enroll. We have rolling start dates, and deferrals to future terms won’t incur extra fees or impact admissions decisions. Students also have the option to begin their program online so they don’t lose any time.

To Our UCLA Extension International Student Community,

We’re writing to you today with some critical updates on the various actions being taken by the U.S. government affecting F-1 visa application appointments and newly announced travel bans and restrictions for 19 countries.

Please read this update carefully.

Travel Ban & Restrictions

On June 4, 2025, the White House issued a new Presidential Proclamation affecting entry into the United States for citizens of nineteen countries. We encourage members of our international community to review the announcement and accompanying fact sheet issued by the White House, and to reconsider upcoming international travel if their home country is listed. This proclamation is effective at 12:01 am Eastern Daylight Time on June 9, 2025.

We recognize that this announcement may be confusing or distressing. Please know that UCLA Extension values your participation in our programs. Our international students, instructors, and staff are a vital part of what makes UCLA Extension exceptional. The Extension International Student Services (ISS) team is closely reviewing the proclamation to understand how it may impact members of our international community.

We will be reaching out directly to F-1 visa holders who may be affected to offer the most up-to-date information.

If your country of citizenship is not listed, you should not be directly affected by this ban, but you should be prepared for extra scrutiny at U.S. ports of entry, including your electronic devices and social media accounts.

Pause on Scheduling New F & J Visa Interviews

Recent news reports have indicated that the U.S. Department of State has issued a temporary pause on adding new F-1 visa interviews until the government issues new guidance to embassies and consulates on the expansion of social media screening and vetting of visa applicants. The ISS team is monitoring this situation closely.

To date, there has been no official communication from the U.S. government as to when this pause will be lifted. We are unsure how long this pause will last, but it is reported to be temporary.

Current students requiring a new F-1 visa to re-enter the U.S. should check with their local U.S. embassy or consulate for visa appointment availability before departing the U.S., since your return could be impacted. We do not anticipate this pause will impact anyone who already has a scheduled visa appointment or who has been approved for a visa interview waiver.

Action Steps to Consider

• Students with a confirmed F-1 visa interview appointment should plan to attend the scheduled appointment. Contact your local U.S. embassy or consulate if you have questions about your appointment.
• Students planning to travel outside of the U.S. and who require a new F-1 visa but do not have an appointment scheduled should go to the local embassy or consulate’s website to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. If no appointments are currently available, continue to check the site frequently for new appointment times.
• If you do not have to travel outside the U.S. right now, consider waiting until this visa appointment pause has concluded and new appointments are available again.
• Incoming, new students for an upcoming quarter with UCLA Extension should contact ISS at iss@uclaextension.edu if you have questions. Schedule your visa appointment as soon as you receive your Form I-20 from ISS. If no appointments are available, continue to check the embassy or consulate’s web page frequently for updates.

As always, the UCLA Extension ISS Team is here to support your continued academic success at UCLA Extension. We remain committed to ensuring that all members of our international community feel informed, included, and empowered. If you have questions or need personalized guidance, please do not hesitate to contact us at iss@uclaextension.edu.