Updated 18 June 2025
The following message was sent on 18 June 2025 to F-1 and J-1 international students with a UW-Madison-issued immigration document.
Media outlets have reported that the U.S. Department of State has instructed U.S. consulates and embassies to resume visa appointments using new guidelines to screen the online and social media presence of all applicants for student and scholar visas. The new vetting requirements and procedures should be implemented within five business days (by 25 June).
UW-Madison has not received official notice regarding the new visa applicant screening guidelines. However, media outlets report that visa applicants will be screened for “any indications of hostility towards the citizens, culture, government, institutions or founding principles of the United States” and any “advocacy for, aid or support for foreign terrorists and other threats to U.S. national security” and “support for unlawful antisemitic harassment or violence” will be flagged. Visa applicants can expect to be required to set all social media to “public” and to have online presence.
What you can do
- Submit your visa application and schedule your F/J student visa appointment as soon as possible. If your appointment is cancelled, please send your assigned ISS advisor an Information Request in Terra Dotta to notify us.
- Request your F/J student immigration document to attend UW-Madison after you have accepted your admission. You can find instructions on the Becoming a Global Badger webpage.
- Expect delays in visa processing after the three-week suspension of visa applications. You may be eligible to request an expedite after you submit your visa application and receive your visa interview date.
- Enroll full-time in your fall courses.
This announcement will be updated once more information is available.
The following message was sent on 28 May 2025 to F-1 and J-1 international students with a UW-Madison-issued immigration document.
Media outlets have reported that U.S. embassies and consulates have been instructed not to open any new F or J student and scholar visa appointments until the U.S. Department of State provides additional guidance on screening and vetting the social media accounts of visa applicants.
UW-Madison has not received official notice from the U.S. Department of State. We continue to closely monitor this situation and will update the Resources on Immigration Issues webpage as we learn more.
What you can do
- Attend any F/J student visa appointment you may have already scheduled. If your appointment is cancelled, please send your assigned ISS advisor an Information Request in Terra Dotta to notify us.
- Request your F/J student immigration document to attend UW-Madison after you have accepted your admission. You can find instructions on the Becoming a Global Badger webpage.
- Schedule your appointment as quickly as possible, once visa appointments resume. This temporary suspension may cause delays in visa processing.
- Enroll full-time in your fall courses.
This announcement will be updated once more information is available.
If you have any questions about your immigration documents or student immigration status, please send your assigned ISS advisor an Information Request in Terra Dotta.