The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) yesterday confirmed that it is reviewing updated guidelines for student visa appointments and could resume interviews soon.
“AIT Consular Services is currently reviewing updated [US] Department of State guidance on student visa appointments, and we will open new appointment slots for student visas as soon as feasible based on the department guidance,” an AIT spokesperson said.
AIT represents US interests in Taiwan in the absence of official diplomatic ties.
Photo: REUTERS
AIT’s confirmation followed Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung’s (林佳龍) statement in the legislature earlier yesterday that AIT had informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that it could resume accepting new student visa appointments “in the coming days.”
According to a state department cable obtained by the Washington Post, the US is restarting student visa interviews and implementing stricter social media rules — including requiring applicants to make their accounts public so they could be reviewed for any signs of hostility toward the US.
The move follows last month’s suspension of student visa appointments, which US officials described as part of a broader effort targeting universities allegedly linked to antisemitism and other national security concerns, according to the Washington Post.
Lin at a legislative session in Taipei yesterday morning told lawmakers that the visa interview suspension applies only to new applicants.
The AIT is still conducting student visa interviews for applicants who scheduled appointments before the suspension was announced, he added.
About 10,000 Taiwanese students apply for US student visas each year, Lin said, adding that the ministry is in ongoing discussions with the AIT and officials in Washington to defend Taiwanese nationals’ right to education.
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