WASHINGTON: The United States has cancelled more than 100,000 visas of foreign nationals since the beginning of this year, including nearly 8,000 student visas, according to international news agencies.
The visas were cancelled under a strict policy aimed at enforcing US immigration laws. The US State Department said the action was taken against individuals found to violate American laws.
Officials stated that around 2,500 of those affected held special work permits. These visas were revoked after the holders were found to have breached legal requirements in some form.
According to authorities, visa cancellations were carried out against foreign nationals who had criminal records, legal violations, or other objectionable evidence against them.
In an official statement, the State Department said that visa cancellations and deportation actions will continue in the future to ensure the safety and security of the United States.
The report added that these measures are part of strict immigration policies introduced during the tenure of former US President Donald Trump. Under these policies, visa holders are monitored even after entering the country to quickly identify any arrests, convictions, or legal issues.
The cancelled visas belong to various categories, including tourist visas, student visas, skilled work visas, and other types of foreign visitors. India has been reported as the most affected country by the visa cancellation process.
New US visa rule: Citizens of 25 countries must pay bond up to $15,000
The United States has greatly expanded its visa bond program by now requiring a bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 to be paid by citizens from 25 new countries while applying for B1 and B2 visitor visas.
Among the newly added ones are Algeria, Bangladesh, Cuba, Nepal, Nigeria, Venezuela, along with some other nations from Africa, Asia and Latin America.
The bond amount will be set at the time of the visa interview, and payment of the bond will not mean that the visa is granted. The deposited amount will be refunded if the visa is denied or the bond requirements are not fulfilled. This new rule will apply from January 21, 2026, thus the number of countries through which the policy is applied will reach 38 in total.
As per the U.S. State Department’s announcement, the bond program was initially introduced as an experimental project in August 2025 and its objective was to cut down on the number of people who stay on after their visas have expired and who are then considered illegal residents in the U.S. The program is part of a series of measures aimed at tightening visa enforcement and returning travellers to their home countries.
The nations that were added to the bond requirement list have shown concern about the new situation, while the U.S. government stands firm that it is a crucial step towards immigration law compliance and illegal overstays prevention.
