Why is US Revoking Student Visas?
The current situation in USA states that several international students are being deported back to their home country. The officials in USA are revoking the student visa for USA overnight over minor inconveniences. Earlier, the reasons for US student visa revoking were pro-Palestine campus activism or involvement in terrorist activities. Those whose entry visas have been canceled are now receiving notices from the Department of Homeland Security instructing them to leave the country immediately.
According to a report from the Times of India, many Indian students in the US have recently received emails from their designated school officials (DSOs) informing them that their F-1 student visas are no longer valid and that they must leave right away. Hence, several students had their US student visa revoked. An immigration lawyer from Texas, Chand Paravathneni, is currently handling about 30 of these cases and noted that "revoking SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) for offenses like drinking and driving, changing lanes, or speeding is extremely rare."
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Reasons for overnight revoking of student visas in USA include -
Social Media Posts
Accidental Shoplifting
Traffic Violations
Drunk Driving
Misdemeanor
Even though for these reasons punishment can be provided, straight up revoking the student visa and deporting the students back to their country is a huge step. The students are not even allowed to complete their education in USA. Let us explore all the reasons for student visa revocation in USA.
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Reasons for Revoking an F-1 Student Visa in USA
There are several strict conditions involved when it comes to maintaining your F-1 student visa. The below-mentioned risks explains how students can get their US student visa revoked even if a single condition is not maintained.
Academic Risks
If you drop below the required course load, your student visa for USA can be revoked. This can only be saved by your Designated School Official (DSO).
Getting dismissed for poor grades or disciplinary issues can also lead to visa revocation.
If you change your course format to part-time, hybrid, or online, it could impact your visa status if you don’t report it to SEVIS.
Employment Risks
Working without the approval for CPT (Curricular Practical Training) or OPT (Optional Practical Training) can be a major risk.
Interning or working for sanctioned organizations in areas like research, defense, or foreign funding.
Financial and Personal Risks
Providing only initial proof of funds is not enough. You are required to provide funds that are enough for you to study in USA.
Submitting fake documents for US student visa can lead to visa revocation. Provide authentic admission letters, test scores, or financial statements.
Failing to update your residential or mailing information in SEVIS can result in non-compliance. Students need to report any address changes within 10 days.
Security Risks
As per the Form I-94, students are required to leave USA once their authorization to stay is over. Overstaying in USA can lead to the revocation of the student visa.
Arrests, charges, and convictions lead to student visa revocation.
If a US authority sees you as a risk, they will revoke the student visa without any court proceedings.
Transfer Risks
If a student decides to change their level of study or switch schools, they need to start a SEVIS transfer. If they fail to do this within 60 days, they could lose their F-1 visa.
Targeting Activisim
A recent case of Ranjani Srinivasan, a 27-year-old PhD student in Urban Planning at Columbia, who came to the US on an F-1 student visa got her US student visa revoked. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed in a statement on 14th March 2025 that her visa was revoked on March 5 as she is said to be involved in some terrorist activities.
Mahmoud Khalil, a student activist and Palestinian supported at Columbia University, was taken from his apartment in New York City by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on March 8, 2025. Khalil is a lawful permanent resident, and the officials revoked his permanent resident status. On March 10, a US district judge ruled that the Trump administration could not deport Khalil while the arrest was under judicial review.
It is worth noting that the colleges and universities in USA are not given a notice when a student visa is revoked in USA. This takes away the opportunity from the university to support its students. In addition, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have increased the audits in schools and universities. Wherever there is a discrepancy, the school is fined, and the student visa is revoked for the defaulted student. Moreover, if there is a pro-Palestinian protest in the university, those institutions can lose their certification to enrol student visa holders.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is USA allowing student visa?
A:
Yes USA is allowing student visa at the moment however, if the students are found to be a part of terrorist activity or does not maintain the F-1 student visa requirements, then these students can get their US student visa revoked.
Q: How many times can an F1 visa be applied?
A:
There is no set limit on the number of reapplications for an F-1 visa but, the reason for rejection should be mentioned clearly.
Q: What do I do if my F-1 visa is revoked?
A:
If your F-1 visa is revoked, then you will not be able to reapply for the same visa. However, after 5 months you can apply for a new F-1 visa for which you will be required to start again from the initial application process.
Q: How soon can I reapply for US student visa after refusal?
A:
If your US student visa is refused by the officials, you can reapply as soon as possible. There is no set time limit for reapplying. However, if your US student visa is revoked, the reapplication is not allowed.
Q: What is the rejection rate of USA student visa?
A:
In 2023-2024, US rejected 41% of F-1 student visa applications. This is deemed to be the highest rejection rate in a decade, with 2.79 lakh out of 6.79 lakh applications being denied.
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