Skipping classes could lead to visa revocation & future bar, US warns students

NEW DELHI: Students pursuing courses in American colleges may not only lose their visa but also be ineligible to get one in the future if they drop out or skip classes. The US Embassy in India Tuesday said on X: “If you drop out, skip classes, or leave your programme of study without informing your school, your student visa may be revoked, and you may lose eligibility for future US visas. Always adhere to the terms of your visa and maintain your student status to avoid any issues.”

While the warning holds true for all foreign students in the US, post Covid India has emerged as one of America’s biggest source markets for the same. “More Indian students than ever before now have US student visas. In 2024, India became the top sender of international students for the first time since the 2008/2009 academic year with more than 331,000 students overall studying in the US. India also remained the largest sender of international graduate students in the US for the second year; Indian graduate student numbers increased by 19% to reach almost 2 lakh,” the US embassy had said last year.

If you drop out, skip classes, or leave your program of study without informing your school, your student visa may be revoked, and you may lose eligibility for future U.S. visas. Always adhere to the terms of your visa and maintain your student status to avoid any issues. pic.twitter.com/34wJ7nkip0

— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) May 27, 2025

The Trump administration has been tightening visa norms and warning action against anyone found violating the rules. “If you remain in the United States beyond your authorised period of stay, you could be deported and could face a permanent ban on traveling to the US in the future,” the US embassy in India had said on X May 17.

This post was also not aimed specifically at Indian travellers but was a reiteration of American rules for all international visitors. However, India is now among the biggest source markets for inbound visitation to America. According to the US National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), last year the country had over 4.8 crore international inbound air travellers from Canada, Mexico and overseas. After Canada and Mexico which share a land border with it, the United Kingdom was the biggest overseas market for inbound visitors at over 40 lakh, followed by India at almost 22 lakh; Germany at almost 20 lakh; Brazil at 1.9 lakh and Japan at 18.4 lakh, NTTO data shows.

Trump is also acting on illegal immigration. On May 15, the US Embassy in India had said on X: “The US government has launched a coordinated interagency effort to combat fraud and end illegal immigration. Those found guilty of visa fraud will face permanent bans from entering the United States. New visa restriction policies apply to individuals and foreign governments who facilitate illegal immigration.”