[Report] "Studying Abroad May Stop..." Concerns Over Student and Market Contraction Due to Suspension of US Visa Interviews

[Financial News] On the 29th, the second day since the Trump administration suspended new visa interviews, a line of people waiting for visa issuance procedures continued in front of the US Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul. As work began at 7:20 AM, the number of people waiting increased to over 170. Most had anxious expressions. 
The sudden US measure has left students preparing for study abroad in the new semester in August unable to hide their bewilderment. Furthermore, reports that US authorities are considering requiring social media (SNS) account information from student visa applicants have added to the confusion, with some deleting posts or even deactivating accounts. Industry insiders are concerned about market contraction.
Park Mo (24), whom we met in the interview waiting line, said, "There is definitely a worrying atmosphere among study abroad preparers," adding, "There are many cases where interviews have been rejected, so the anxiety is high."
Yoon Mo (31), who is in his 10th year of studying in the US, is one semester away from graduation. He lamented, "I was already denied a visa once after the Trump administration took office," and "if I fail this time, I might have to stop studying abroad, so I'm making contingency plans."
Especially with the pre-provision of SNS information likely, scenes of study abroad preparers organizing their SNS were also observed. Park said, "I only have an SNS ID and haven't posted anything, but people around me are telling me to delete the ID just in case, so I'm contemplating."
The shockwave is not limited to students. Since the interview suspension also includes the J-1 visa, there is a forecast that local Korean businesses will be hit. The LA Java Market (fashion mall) has been employing domestic students as interns with the J-1 visa.
The visas temporarily suspended from interviews are F, M, and J types. △F visa for students who want to study at US universities or language training △M visa for those seeking vocational training △J visa for exchange researchers and students in education, arts, and sciences.
Industry insiders foresee that if this trend continues for a while, both students and the market may shrink. If the demand for study abroad preparers decreases, it implies that study abroad agencies, language schools, visa consulting companies, local Korean intern/employment connection companies, airlines, accommodation, and insurance companies will inevitably suffer a chain impact.
An American visa expert said, "There is a high possibility that sensitive personal information, which is impossible to demand from Americans, will be required to be submitted during visa screening for foreign students," adding, "It will be discouraged."
theknight@fnnews.com Jeong Kyung-su Park Seong-hyun Kim Hyung-gu Reporter