The United States government has instructed embassies worldwide to stop scheduling new student visa interviews, citing plans to tighten social media screening for international applicants.

A State Department memo indicates that embassies and consulates should remove unscheduled appointments for student and exchange visitor visas. Interviews already on the calendar will proceed. The halt remains in effect until new guidance is issued.

Officials say the move is part of a broader strategy to increase social media vetting of applicants.

The shift comes as former President DONALD TRUMP intensifies pressure on United States universities, accusing them of permitting antisemitic behaviour under the guise of pro-Palestinian activism.