Washington, 29 May 2025 (dpa/MIA) - The United States will begin revoking visas of Chinese students and tighten screening for future applicants from China and Hong Kong, the US State Department said on Wednesday.

"The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on social media platform X.

In a press release, the State Department stated that it would also revise visa criteria "to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong."

It was not immediately clear how many students currently in the United States would be affected or whether any exemptions would apply.

According to the Institute of International Education (IIE), about 277,000 Chinese students were enrolled at US universities during the 2023–2024 academic year, making them the second-largest group of international students after those from India.

The US already applies strict visa rules for Chinese nationals in certain academic disciplines, particularly in science and technology.

The new measures come amid reports that the State Department has halted new visa interviews for international students and exchange visitors while it reviews screening procedures, including expanded checks on social media activity.

The pause reportedly affects F, M and J visa categories, including those for students, interns and au pairs, with further instructions expected in the coming days.

Relations between Washington and Beijing have deteriorated further since US President Donald Trump took office in January. The two economic powers are engaged in a deepening trade dispute and competing for global influence across multiple fronts.

Photo: MIA archive