People seeking to apply for visas to the United States wait outside the U.S. Embassy in South Korea in central Seoul. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, May 29 (Korea Bizwire) – The government is currently asking the United States to provide information to South Korean visa applicants regarding the reported suspension of new student visa interviews, the foreign ministry said Thursday.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong made the remarks during a press briefing, a day after reports emerged that the U.S. Embassy in South Korea had paused scheduling new student visa interviews, potentially in line with Washington’s reported plans to require social media vetting for visa applicants.
“Our government is closely monitoring the situation while continuing necessary communication with the U.S. side,” Lee said.
He said that “the government is currently asking the U.S. to provide necessary information and timely notifications to South Koreans” regarding the situation.
U.S. news outlet Politico earlier reported the Donald Trump administration ordered U.S. Embassies and consular offices to halt new interviews for student visa applicants as it considers requiring all such applicants to undergo social media vetting.
The U.S. Embassy in Seoul has yet to clarify whether it has outright suspended scheduling new interviews, only noting that scheduling for non-immigrant visa interviews is flexible and that visa applicants can continue to submit their applications.
(Yonhap)
