US Embassy in India Warns Visa Holders of Revocation, Deportation for Immigration Rule Violations.

 

In a major shift in immigration enforcement, the US Embassy in India has issued a strong advisory warning all visa holders that their stay in the United States remains subject to continuous screening—even after a visa is issued. The advisory reinforces that violations of US laws or immigration rules can lead to visa revocation and deportation.

The embassy, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stated, “US visa screening does not stop after a visa is issued. We continuously check visa holders to ensure they follow all US laws and immigration rules—and we will revoke their visas and deport them if they don’t.”

This warning is aligned with President Donald Trump’s intensified immigration policies during his second term, emphasizing national security, social media vetting, and zero tolerance for visa fraud or illegal stay.

The US State Department recently mandated all applicants to disclose social media handles from the past five years on their DS-160 visa forms. Failure to provide accurate information can lead to visa denial or future ineligibility. The new guidelines particularly target F-1 (student), M-1 (vocational), and J-1 (exchange visitor) visa categories.

Officials clarified that private or restricted profiles may raise red flags, as transparency is now required. The background screening includes reviewing online posts for terrorist support, antisemitism, or hostility toward the United States. According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, over 300 visas were revoked in one month alone due to flagged online content.

Further tightening visa norms, President Trump recently signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, introducing a mandatory $250 Visa Integrity Fee starting fiscal year 2026. This non-waivable fee applies to most non-immigrant categories including B-1/B-2, F, M, H-1B, and J visas. Refunds will only be given upon proven full compliance with visa terms and timely exit from the US.

Additional charges include:

$24 I-94 processing fee

$13 ESTA fee (Visa Waiver Program)

$30 EVUS fee (for Chinese nationals with 10-year B visas)

The total cost of a US tourist visa for Indian applicants may rise from $185 to approximately $472.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has responded, stressing that visa decisions are a sovereign function, but Indian applicants should be evaluated on merit. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that New Delhi remains engaged with Washington to protect the interests of Indian nationals.

India contributes to nearly 10% of all US visa applications globally, with over 5 million Indian nationals holding valid US visas as of January 2025. The latest policies are expected to significantly impact Indian students, professionals, and business travellers, adding financial and procedural hurdles.

The US embassy reiterated, “A US visa is a privilege, not a right, and every application is a national security decision.”

These sweeping reforms represent a paradigm shift in US immigration—combining national security, digital transparency, and economic accountability. Indian applicants are advised to adhere strictly to visa conditions, maintain online decorum, and prepare for increased scrutiny as the US intensifies its efforts to protect domestic interests.