As Visa Delays Threaten Fall Arrival for International Students, Reed & Whitehouse Demand Answers & Action from U.S. State Department

PROVIDENCE, RI - With college students heading back to campus in the coming weeks for the start of a new academic year, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse are pressing the Trump Administration to process international student and scholar visas without unjust delay.

Reed and Whitehouse are teaming up with U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) and 27 colleagues in demanding answers from the U.S. State Department about why international student visa appointments have dried up at some embassies -- a bottleneck that seems to mostly impact students from Latin American countries. The lawmakers want to know why there are delays in processing F, M and J visas for academic studies, vocational courses and exchange programs, respectively.

Noting that international students pumped about $43 billion into local economies across the U.S. during the 2024-2025 academic year, Padilla, Reed, Whitehouse and their colleagues are demanding answers about delays processing these applications at U.S. embassies and consulates and are seeking to fix the problem in time for students to make travel arrangements and be in college classrooms when the semester begins.

"We urge the State Department to ensure timely processing of F, M, and J student and exchange visitor nonimmigrant visas, consistent with the approach taken by administrations of both parties in the past, and to implement other measures to avoid diminishing U.S. competitiveness," the 30 U.S. Senators wrote. "Specifically, we are hearing from constituents and stakeholders that no timely visa appointments are available for students at some embassies and consulates. This only exacerbates uncertainty about whether students' visas will be processed in time for them to travel to the United States to begin their studies."

The lawmakers highlighted the contributions international students make to universities and communities nationwide, including expanding opportunities for American students, generating economic activity, strengthening the U.S. workforce, and building international partnerships.

"International students are critical to the success of our universities, including contributing nearly $43 billion annually to local communities and supporting more than 355,000 American jobs during the 2024-2025 academic year. Even though international students make up only six percent of the total higher education population, their enrollment creates opportunities for American students," the senators continued. "International students also improve our national security by fostering global relationships, cross cultural understanding, and long-lasting diplomatic ties. These benefits are at risk if visa processing delays persist."

The senators urged the State Department to ensure the timely review and processing of student and exchange visitor visas, extend interview waivers for vetted returning student applicants, provide sufficient staffing for visa processing, and improve transparency and engagement with stakeholders. The senators also requested an explanation within 30 days about the causes of the delays and the measures being implemented to ensure student and exchange visitor visa applications are processed in a timely manner moving forward.

Over 5,000 international students attend colleges and universities across the Ocean State, according to SEVIS higher education tracking data from 2025. These students contribute over $270 million to Rhode Island's economy, according to SEVIS. Higher ed schools with large groups of international students enrolled include Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), the University of Rhode Island (URI), Johnson & Wales, and Providence College.

According to Ocean State Media's article, "Fewer visas, fewer students: URI sees international enrollment slide": "The University of Rhode Island saw a significant decrease in the number of international students enrolled this academic year, as heightened immigration enforcement by the Trump Administration makes it more difficult for many international students to attend school in the U.S.

"URI saw a 16% decrease in international student enrollment from the 2024-25 academic year to the 2025-26 academic year, according to data provided by the school. In the current academic year, 404 international students are enrolled - down from 480 the year prior.

"The decrease at URI follows a broader national trend that has hit many schools harder. The U.S. government issued 36% fewer visas of the kind most commonly used by international students just before the fall 2025 semester, according to a New York Times analysis of State Department data."

In addition to Padilla, Reed, and Whitehouse, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth, D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

Full text of the letter follows:

Dear Secretary Rubio,

We write to express our concerns regarding the ongoing unavailability of visa appointments during the peak visa application season for students and scholars seeking to enter the U.S. in time for the start of classes and the academic year. We urge the State Department to ensure timely processing of F, M, and J student and exchange visitor nonimmigrant visas, consistent with the approach taken by administrations of both parties in the past, and to implement other measures to avoid diminishing U.S. competitiveness. Specifically, we are hearing from constituents and stakeholders that no timely visa appointments are available for students at some embassies and consulates. This only exacerbates uncertainty about whether students' visas will be processed in time for them to travel to the United States to begin their studies.

These challenges come at a time when major academic institutions need skilled, international talent to begin their semesters. Without a fix, the repercussions will be felt across the academic and skilled-technical talent pipeline.

International students are critical to the success of our universities, including contributing nearly $43 billion annually to local communities and supporting more than 355,000 American jobs during the 2024-2025 academic year. Even though international students make up only six percent of the total higher education population, their enrollment creates opportunities for American students. For every additional international undergraduate enrolled at a U.S. public university, two additional in-state freshman students can enroll. Most international students pay out-of state tuition, injecting vital revenue into our colleges and universities and helping keep costs down for domestic students. International students also improve our national security by fostering global relationships, cross cultural understanding, and long-lasting diplomatic ties. These benefits are at risk if visa processing delays persist.

The case-by-case nature of availability for access to expedited appointments or National Interest Exception requests is neither efficient nor sustainable. Instead of diverting already limited personnel resources, the State Department should ensure that its consular sections restore priority to interview, adjudicate, and process student visas in time for the upcoming school year.

In addition to the above, we urge the State Department to extend interview waivers for vetted returning student applicants; ensure adequate staffing for timely visa vetting and processing; and meaningfully engage with stakeholders to promote greater transparency.

International students bolster the American workforce, drive innovation, and better position our country to maintain its competitive edge. Therefore, we request a written response answering these questions within 30 days:

1. What resources has the Department devoted to processing the backlogs and streamlining processing of F, J, and M visas?
2. Have consular process priorities changed since the spring and summer of 2025? What visa interview categories are currently prioritized by the Bureau of Consular Affairs and where do student visas fall within that list? Provide the list of visa interview prioritization.
3. What guidance has been sent to embassies and consulates regarding prioritization or deprioritization of student and exchange visitor visa processing? Provide a copy of all guidance regarding the prioritizing or deprioritizing of student and exchange visitor visas since August 2025 until the present day.
4. How are interview slots being allocated at embassies and consulates and where do student and exchange visitor visa appointments fit within that allocation?
5. How often are consular post websites and the main State Department website updated for relevant and current information regarding current U.S. consulate operations including visa appointment availability and approximate processing times?
6. When will you resume publicly posting monthly, accurate visa issuance data by category?
7. Will the Department commit to implementing regular, ongoing outreach and collaboration with stakeholders and relevant agencies about the student and exchange visitor visa process and ensure the timely processing of F, J, and M visas?
8. How do you ensure that embassies and consulates are accurately and timely informed of any regulatory or policy changes regarding student and exchange visitor visas?
9. What are the average processing times for F, M, and J visas at the top five locations processing these visas from September 2025 to date, disaggregated by month?
10. Last year, the Department of State announced new vetting, including online presence vetting, of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant classification.

1. What resources has the Department of State devoted to these new vetting procedures?
2. In developing these new vetting procedures, what steps has your Department taken to ensure our national security interests of welcoming bona fide international students in our communities can still be achieved through timely processing of F, J, and M visas.
3. How many applications have been refused pursuant to the new enhanced vetting procedures? Please disaggregate these numbers by the basis for refusal.

Sincerely,

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