Relief Deepens for Harvard Students as U.S. State Department Resumes Visa Processing Worldwide

The US State Department has ordered embassies and consulates around the world to resume processing student and exchange visitor visas for individuals bound for Harvard University, following a federal judge’s decision to block President Donald Trump’s latest attempt to bar international students from the institution.

In a diplomatic cable issued Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio directed that “no such applications should be refused,” effectively reversing prior instructions that consular officers deny visa requests from students and researchers affiliated with Harvard.

The updated guidance follows a temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs, which halted the Trump administration’s directive targeting the Ivy League school. The State Department confirmed that the return to “standard processing” is in line with the court’s ruling.

“Effective immediately, consular sections must resume processing of Harvard University student and exchange visitor visas,” the cable read.

The directive signals that the State Department is complying with the judge’s mandate, though questions have lingered over whether foreign posts have been consistently processing visas in accordance with court orders. Harvard previously raised concerns to Judge Burroughs that some international applicants were experiencing delays and rejections.

Judge Burroughs had expressed concern that students seeking entry to Harvard were being blocked from obtaining visas at certain U.S. embassies. While the court has yet to rule on the broader legality of the administration’s actions, Burroughs has mandated that the government maintain the status quo for Harvard’s international student body.

A pivotal court hearing on the matter is scheduled for next week, as the legal battle between Harvard and the Trump administration continues to unfold.