Moroccan students hoping to continue their education in the United States now face a fresh wave of uncertainty. The U.S. State Department has abruptly halted all appointments for student and exchange visas at its embassies around the world, offering no timeline for when the service might resume.
The move, widely reported by American media, appears to be part of a broader overhaul of immigration policies targeting international students. According to Bloomberg, the Trump administration is pushing for tighter scrutiny of applicants’ social media activity, a measure that signals a significant shift in how student visas are processed. While pending applications remain valid, no new appointments will be scheduled until updated procedures are in place.
This sudden freeze couldn’t come at a worse time for Moroccan applicants, who already navigate a maze of paperwork and wait times. Every year, thousands of Moroccan students choose to study in the U.S., drawn by the range of academic programs and the global prestige of American universities. For many, this change threatens to upend an already tight schedule, making it difficult to secure a visa in time for the upcoming academic year.
The news comes just days after Harvard University was briefly barred from admitting new international students and researchers—a controversial decision that was reversed by the courts less than 24 hours later. But the latest directive to U.S. embassies adds weight to growing concerns that Washington is doubling down on restrictions aimed at limiting academic mobility.
In Morocco, student counseling agencies are voicing alarm over the suspension. Even if temporary, the pause could lead to longer delays and might discourage students who are still undecided about studying abroad. The uncertainty is likely to have ripple effects, potentially altering educational plans for many aspiring scholars.
