By Abiola Olawale
The administration of United States President Donald Trump has instructed embassies and consulates worldwide to resume processing visa applications for international students and exchange visitors bound for Harvard University.
The directive was contained in a circular issued by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday, June 6, 2025.
The directive comes after a federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to restrict international students from attending the globally respected prestigious institution.
The new guidance, signed by Rubio, mandates that consular sections immediately resume “standard processing” of Harvard University students and exchange visitor visas (F, M, and J categories) and explicitly states that “no such applications should be refused” based on the now-halted presidential proclamation.
“Effective immediately, consular sections must resume processing of Harvard University students and exchange visitor visas,” the circular reads in part.
This development follows an initial directive by the US State Department to reject Harvard visa applications.
Trump had targeted Harvard revoking its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification on May 22, 2025, over allegations of fostering “anti-American, pro-terrorist” activities.
