Changes to US visa policies negatively impact Turkish students

The United States' updated visa policy, implemented due to preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has cast uncertainty over the summer plans of thousands of international and Turkish students. Students wishing to participate in the J-1 cultural exchange program, in particular, are facing serious difficulties in finding visa appointments because the US is prioritizing tourist visas.

Despite the approaching summer season, approximately 25,000 students worldwide, including nearly 4,000 young people in Turkey, have not received responses to their J-1 visa appointment requests. Although students have been accepted into the program and have made the necessary payments, they are being forced to cancel or postpone their plans due to the lack of a positive response from the US Consulate.

One of the primary reasons for the appointment shortage in the J-1 visa program is that the US has largely allocated its visa interview capacity to tourist visas. Due to the reduction in quotas allocated for cultural exchange and student programs, visa applications under the J-1 category have been relegated to the background.

On the other hand, US authorities have begun to place greater emphasis on security screenings for visa applications. It is noted that the detailed examination of applicants' social media history and online activities is extending processing times. It is pointed out that the already limited interview quotas are being further reduced by these additional checks.

Industry representatives state that the visa crisis currently being experienced in Turkey was not even seen to this extent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students who cannot secure appointments face the risk of being deprived of the study abroad and work experience they have been looking forward to for a long time, in addition to the program fees and preparation costs they have already paid.

It is reported that many students were not provided with systematic information in advance, which has increased the grievances. As a result, thousands of young people are suffering both financial losses and the disappointment of missing out on an opportunity that would have made a significant contribution to their personal and professional development.

News Source: 12punto