International students studying in the US have received a strong warning from the US Embassy in India to carefully follow the conditions of their student visas. Maintaining good standing with their academic program is important because non-compliance could result in the instant loss of their student visa.
Grounds for Visa Revocation
Students who drop out, skip classes, or leave their program without notifying their university risk facing severe consequences, including:
- Visa Revocation: Immediate cancellation of their student visa
- Future Visa Eligibility: Loss of eligibility for future US visas
- Deportation: Potential deportation from the United States
Unexpected visa revocations and legal status terminations have occurred in recent weeks for overseas students all throughout the United States. Since late March, at least 1,222 students at 187 schools and universities have been impacted. Additionally, at least 4,736 students’ visa records have been terminated by SEVIS, the database that houses the records of overseas students.
Importance of Compliance
To avoid visa revocation, international students must:
- Maintain Full-Time Enrolment: Continuously enrol in full-time programs
- Attend Classes Regularly: Consistently attend classes and avoid skipping
- Inform School Officials: Notify their university’s international student office and Designated School Official (DSO) of any changes
- Follow Program Requirements: Follow the specific program requirements and avoid deviations without approval
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Serious outcomes, such as deportation and future visa bans, may result from breaking visa regulations. “If you drop out, skip classes, or leave your program of study without informing your school, your student visa may be cancelled, and you may lose eligibility for future US visas,” the US Embassy in India warns, underscoring the need of following visa requirements.
Many Indian students who are studying in the US are impacted by the US Embassy’s caution. For the third year in a row, the US consulate office in India set a record in 2023 by issuing more than 140,000 student visas. Indian students make up a sizable percentage of the international student body in the US since American universities draw a lot of them.
