More than 20 days after the Trump administration’s suspension of visa interviews, those preparing to travel to the U.S. as interns, students, or expatriates are grappling with unprecedented uncertainty over visa approvals, leaving them frustrated and bewildered.
From middle and high school students heading to boarding schools, to college students pursuing bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees, to graduates preparing for internships and expatriates awaiting corporate assignments, those in the visa application process are expressing outrage, saying, “Our entire life schedules are in disarray.”

Choi, a Seoul resident, shared, “I was recently confirmed for a one-year internship at a Korean company in LA, but my J1 visa interview has been put on hold, leaving me in limbo.” The J1 visa, a non-immigrant visa for cultural exchange and training, is issued to interns and researchers.

The Korean company where Choi was set to work is facing a critical period for intern and staff transitions from its Korean affiliates. However, with visa interview schedules repeatedly delayed, the company is reportedly forced to operate with minimal staff for at least several months, lacking replacements.

Organizations like the World Korean Business Convention (OKTA LA) and the Korean American Manufacturers Association (KAMA), which annually recruit interns from Korea, are unable to proceed with internship programs due to visa issuance uncertainties. Expatriates in Southern California are also deeply concerned about potential operational gaps as visa delays affect the arrival of their successors. Korean economic organizations in Southern California have long maintained industry-academia partnerships by hiring Korean university students and young professionals as interns.

The group most urgently affected is international students. Unlike interns or expatriates who can wait for visa interviews to resume, students risk having their admissions nullified if they cannot secure visas in time. Many have already paid tuition or secured housing for the August start of the academic term.

A father in his 40s said, “I received a master’s program admission with company sponsorship, but my I-20 visa interview is blocked. I’ve already put my house up for sale to live with my family, and now I’m stuck in limbo.” He added, “In the worst case, I’m considering switching to a university in Australia.”
The parent of a high school student lamented, “My child was rejected for an F1 visa interview. We’ve already paid tuition, but we can’t even schedule another interview, so I’m calling the study abroad agency every day.” Many students preparing for university exchange programs are also reportedly giving up on their plans after failing to secure visas.

As the entry of Korean interns, expatriates, and students faces delays, LA’s Koreatown and lodging businesses are taking a direct hit. Park, who operates several studio apartments in Koreatown, said, “We rely on rental income to pay mortgages, so fewer tenants could lead to vacancies, unpaid utilities, or delinquent mortgage payments. With recent LA protests compounding the situation, the business environment is getting worse.”

Meanwhile, on May 27, Secretary of State Marco Rubio sent a diplomatic cable to U.S. embassies worldwide, ordering an immediate halt to new student and exchange visitor visa interview appointments to prepare for expanded social media screening and verification for students seeking to study in the U.S. As a result, new visa interview applications through U.S. embassies have been suspended.

By Reporter Park Hong-yong