Foreign travelers to the U.S. must adhere to the terms and conditions of their visa and must depart the U.S. before their period of authorized stay expires. Every visa clearly indicates the activities that are, and are not, permitted to the visa holder. For example, a foreign national holding a B2 tourist visa cannot accept employment in the U.S. That person would have to apply for a change of status and obtain a work visa, such as an H-1B visa, to work in the U.S.
Background on Visa Revocation
A U.S. consular officer is authorized to revoke both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas at any time, as per his/her discretion. A revoked visa is invalid for entry or reentry into the U.S. In certain cases, a consular officer may approve a visa, and after new information surfaces, may revoke that same visa. A visa can be revoked if the foreign national is deemed inadmissible to the U.S. on security, criminal, medical, financial, or other grounds, or if the individual is ineligible for that visa category.
Common Grounds for Visa Revocation
Some circumstances under which a visa officer may revoke a visa are:
1. If the foreign national is not eligible for the visa classification in which the person may have been admitted to the U.S. An ineligibility under INA 214(b) would be included in his category.
2. If the visa has been physically removed from the foreign national’s passport in which it was issued; or
3. If the foreign national is subject to an IDENT Watchlist record for an arrest or conviction of driving under the influence, driving while intoxicated, or similar arrests/convictions (DUI) that occurred within the previous five years.
Please read our article on Prudential revocation of non-immigrant visas here.
Conclusion
A visa revocation can create significant problems when a foreign national attempts to re-enter the U.S. It can sometimes result in a temporary or permanent ineligibility from entering the U.S. In some cases, the ability of a foreign national’s close family members to obtain a U.S. visa could also be potentially affected.
Attorneys at Murthy Immigration Services are available for consultations to explain the effects of visa revocations and advice on the procedure to re-apply for a visa by addressing and overcoming the reasons for any such revocation. Further information on this topic can be found here.