TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The American Institute in Taiwan confirmed Friday the resumption of student visa appointments for Taiwanese applicants.

This ended a three-week suspension that had raised concerns among students preparing for the new school year. AIT was reported as saying by CNA that it would increase appointment slots to accommodate demand.

The suspension of new appointments for F, M, and J visas was implemented May 27. However, previously scheduled interviews continued.

Significantly, the US now requires all student visa applicants to set their social media accounts to "public" so they can be reviewed by consular officers. This will assess whether applicants have been hostile toward the US, supported terrorism, or have been anti-semitic.

“Applicants who refuse to make their social media accounts public may be seen as attempting to conceal information, which could lead to visa denial,” the AIT has stated.

National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) told lawmakers Thursday that AIT had informed his ministry of the resumption of interviews. "The suspension only affected new applicants," he commented.

Wu added that about 10,000 Taiwanese students apply for US student visas every year. The policy change comes as many international students face tighter scrutiny.