Study in the US: Can your F-1 visa be revoked without warning? Hyderabad student’s case tells the story | Today’s news
An Indian student reportedly faced difficulties on his journey from India to the US; when he learned midway through the trip that his F-1 visa had been revoked. A student from Hyderabad traveled to the United States via Amsterdam, Netherlands.
When he arrived in Amsterdam from Hyderabad to board a flight to JFK, US Customs and Border Protection informed him that he could not travel to the US as his visa was no longer valid, the Times of India reported.
The student said he came to the US in January 2025 on an F1 visa to continue his studies there. He returned to India for a short visit, unaware that his visa had been cancelled.
After allegedly being denied further travel to the US, he learned that his visa had been revoked in July 2025. The Hyderabad student had to return to India.
The student claimed he had no idea why his F-1 visa was revoked because he had no DUIs, traffic violations, or other law and order issues.
He said he contacted his university to check his I-20 and SEVIS record. They said they were both active and in good condition.
What is an F1 visa/status?
F-1 status refers to nonimmigrant student status for academic and language students according to the US Department of State. International students are granted an F1 visa. It is the most common visa status used by students in the US and best suits the student’s situation.
An F-1 visa can be obtained by:
1. Obtain a valid I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) from the university
2. Pay the SEVIS fee, if applicable.
3. Complete the DS-160 visa application form (link is external) and pay the DS-160 fee (link is external).
4. Make a visa appointment and go to an interview at the US embassy or consulate.
What are the F-1 immigration regulations?
Basic guidelines, according to the Berkeley International Office, include:
1. Have your passport valid for at least 6 months.
2. Keep your local address up to date.
3. Maintaining a Physical Presence in the US: F-1 students cannot be outside the US for 5 or more consecutive months or F/J status will terminate.
4. Maintain full-time enrollment: You must be enrolled in full-time units each semester.
How do you know your visa has been cancelled?
According to the legal group, there is no central website to check the status of your visa. Visa Serve says that many students only find out their visa has been revoked when they receive a direct notification or are blocked from boarding a US Airlines flight, they receive real-time updates from the US government and can be denied boarding if your visa has been revoked.
F-1 Visa Canceled but SEVIS Record Active: What Does It Mean?
The F-1 visa functions as an entry document, while legal presence is determined by F-1 status and an active SEVIS record. This could mean that even though the student’s future travel may be restricted, the US government still recognizes them as an active student in the country.
Manifest Law he explains that F-1 status in the US is linked to an I-94 and an active SEVIS record. “Revocation of a visa does not automatically terminate SEVIS, but the reason for the appeal is important,” he added, adding that it is necessary to immediately confirm with the PDS that SEVIS remains active.
Termination of a student’s SEVIS record may be triggered by visa cancellation.
Warning: Do not travel unless you are ready to apply for a new visa abroad.
When do you lose your F-1 status?
An F-1 student will lose their status if they do not comply with the regulations and requirements established by the US government for F-1 students. An F-1 student may “lose status” in the US if:
1. They are breaking the immigration rule
2. Lack of full-time enrollment
3. Work without proper authorization
Attention: One must carefully monitor their immigration status and read e-mail reminders from ISSS to avoid losing their status.
what is the impact
The F-1 student’s immigration record is terminated and the student is “out of status.” Their visa stamp in the student’s passport is no longer valid for future trips to the US.
This will result in the termination of SEVIS. A terminated SEVIS record means that F-1 status has ended, your I-20 is no longer valid, and you are not eligible for on-campus employment, practical training, travel signature, or any other F-1 benefit.
In most cases, termination of your SEVIS record means you must leave the US immediately. Failure to leave after a status violation can result in arrest, detention, or deportation.
Risks also apply to F-2/J-2 accompanying dependent status.
Reasons for termination of SEVIS
According to the University of Texas, students who are out of status:
1. They are not fit for work.
2. Homeland Security agents may be contacted
3. He may be subject to deportation
4. They are not barred from enrolling because of their immigration status
What are the risks of traveling abroad for F-1 students?
Problems can arise if you try to travel abroad. A student may not enter the US with a terminated, completed, inactive/deactivated/invalid or revoked SEVIS record.
Before boarding (leaving the US), they must ensure they have proper documentation to re-enter the US, including a valid travel signature on an I-20 or DS-2019.
According to North Eastern University, F-1 students who are outside the US for more than 5 months between academic semesters will be required to apply for a new Initial I-20 (this will restore your employment authorization eligibility)
“The five-month rule does not apply to students completing approved study abroad, global cooperation or postgraduate research abroad,” the university added.
It is also necessary to check the validity of the visa. “If your visa expires before your return, you will need to renew it in your home country/country of residence before re-entering the US,” he added.
Students must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of re-entry into the US.
Documents required for re-entry into the US
1. Valid passport (valid for at least 6 months after date of re-entry into the US)
2. Valid F-1/J-1 visa in passport (except students from Canada)
3. I-20/DS-2019 with valid travel signature from OIS. Be sure to manually sign one page of the printed I-20 or DS-2019. You may not digitally sign the I-20 or DS-2019.
4. Financial support documents (i.e. proof of funding)
What to do next if you lose your F-1 status?
Students who meet eligibility requirements may apply to renew their F-1 status. In order to regain status, the student must be able to study at the university full-time. If you start a new program before or during renewal, you must be accepted into a program of study that is approved by DHS and eligible for an I-20.
According to American universities, there are two options for regaining valid F-1 immigration status.
Option 1: New Status by Travel
The application for reinstatement must be made immediately after the violation or after the termination of their status.
You can renew your F-1 status by departing the US and applying for an F-1 visa at a US consulate. With this option, you will be assigned a new SEVIS ID number and will need to re-establish your practical training eligibility.
Upon returning to the US with a new I-20, student status is regained.
According to Florida Atlantic University, an F-1 visa can only be obtained or renewed at a US consulate abroad (preferably in the student’s home country). A valid visa stamp must be presented when re-entering the US.
Option 2: Renewal by Petition
You can stay in the U.S. and apply to renew your F-1 status through USCIS, the University of Dallas says. With this option, if approved for renewal, you will keep the same SEVIS ID number. You must remain in the US while your application is being processed, which may take a year or more.
The application fee is $420 (if submitted online) or $470 (if submitted by mail). The process takes an average of 6-12 months. A renewal application must be filed within 5 months after the student loses F-1 status.
Students must regularly review their visa status and SEVIS records prior to international travel, particularly in light of evolving US immigration policies in 2025-2026.
What are the risks?
Both Renewal and Travel and Re-entry involve risks. If your renewal application is denied, you will be required to leave the US immediately.
Meanwhile, the travel and reentry process resets your status immediately, but restarts your one-year academic hours, delaying your eligibility for OPT or CPT. According to the UMBC, this method is “dangerous for certain types of crimes that do not allow for return to the U.S., such as working without authorization or remaining in the U.S. for a long time after losing status.”
What is the SEVIS and I-20 form
SEVIS stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. All international students have a SEVIS “record”.
It is a database used by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to collect, track, and monitor information about exchange visitors, international students, and scholars entering the United States on F, J, or M visas.
When you are accepted to a Student and Exchange Visitor Program certified school, a designated school official will issue you one of two forms:
1. Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status – For Academic and Language Learners.”
2. Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status – For Vocational Education Students.”
Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status allows F-1 students to apply for an F-1 visa and entry into the United States.
Maintaining a valid I-20 is part of maintaining F-1 status. “If more time is needed to complete the title requirements, an I-20 extension must be submitted and
approved by ISSO prior to the program termination date on your current I-20,” according to the University of Texas.
How long can F-1 students stay in the US after completing the course?
For an F-1 student, you will likely be admitted to the United States for the “duration of status.” This means that you can stay up to 60 days after the end date of your program or optional practical training, which is listed on your Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.”
US immigration law states that individuals in the US for more than 180 days without valid status are barred from returning to the US for at least 3 years.
