South Korean students warned to clean up their socials amid US visa crackdown

South Korean students, the third-largest group of international students in the U.S., are being urged to carefully manage their online presence amid heightened visa scrutiny by the Trump administration.

An internal State Department cable, obtained by Reuters, instructed U.S. embassies to pause new student and exchange visa appointments to allow for expanded digital vetting. The directive is part of a broader immigration crackdown that has raised concerns among students and their families.

In response, the South Korean government has asked the U.S. to provide timely and detailed information about the reported suspension of new visa interviews. “

Our government is closely monitoring the situation while continuing necessary communication with the U.S. side,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong during a press briefing. “The government is currently asking the U.S. to provide necessary information and timely notifications to South Koreans.”

Educational agencies in Seoul report a surge in inquiries from worried parents and students following the announcement. Park Hyuntae, head of Worldnet U.S. Overseas Edu Center, said both current and prospective applicants are anxious about the policy shift.

“Those who already scheduled those interviews and will apply for interviews both are worried, nervous,” Park told Reuters. “But cancellations of existing interviews haven’t happened yet as far as I know.”

Park said the pause could delay students’ ability to start the school year and that his agency is advising caution about online activity. “I am telling them, especially male students, do not post anything extreme or disgusting on social media, like pictures of grenades or weapons,” he said.