Singapore embassy in US seeking clarification on Harvard's visa ban

Singapore's embassy in Washington has been seeking clarification from the US State Department and Department of Homeland Security on President Donald Trump's directive prohibiting foreigners from entering the country to study at Harvard University.

- Shermaine Ang

The embassy is hoping for clarity from the US authorities in the next few days, including on whether there will be any delay in the processing of visas for Singaporeans hoping to study in the US, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said on June 7.

In a Zoom call with the Singapore media to wrap up his five-day visit to Washington, he noted that many current and prospective students looking to study in the United States had expressed their concern to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over potential visa delays.

Asked to elaborate on contingencies being planned should Singaporean students find themselves unable to proceed with their plans to study in the US, he said the Government is trying to find solutions to deal with the worst-case scenario where students are not able to physically study in Boston.

"We have got some ideas for how we can help them to, in a sense, deal with that eventuality without impairing their academic and professional progress," said Dr Balakrishnan.