‘Visa Is A Privilege, Not A Right’: US State Department Speaks On Massive Crackdown

Last Updated:August 27, 2026, 11:53 IST

US State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott told News18 that temporary visas are issued with an understanding that visa holder intends to leave after authorised period of stay.

The US is preparing for one of its largest visa revocation drives, with reports suggesting that up to 200,000 people may be affected.
(Photo: AP)

The United States could be preparing for one of its largest visa revocation drives, with reports suggesting that up to 200,000 people may be affected.

News18 raised a query with the US State Department about the scope of the reported action, including how many Indian nationals could potentially be impacted and whether the move could affect future visa applicants from India. In response, US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott told News18 that under President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the State Department was making clear that “a visa is not a right, but a privilege.”

According to the State Department, US authorities are working with the Department of Homeland Security to identify cases involving foreign nationals who enter the United States on temporary visas but later seek asylum or attempt to remain in the country permanently.

The key issue, according to US officials, is whether an individual intended from the beginning to seek asylum or remain permanently in the country but concealed that intention while applying for a temporary visa.

If a person misrepresented their actual intentions to a consular officer and claimed they were travelling only temporarily, it could be treated as visa fraud and could lead to the cancellation of their visa.

Pigott told News18 that temporary visas are issued with the understanding that the visa holder intends to leave the United States after the authorised period of stay. “If an individual lies to a consular officer about their true intentions, that can constitute fraud and may result in the revocation of their visa,” he said.

However, the US State Department did not provide a specific estimate of how many Indian nationals could be affected by the reported action. It also did not specify whether future Indian visa applicants would face any particular additional scrutiny as a result.

The department said the process is still underway and that the number of visas being reviewed or revoked could change as the action progresses. The reported crackdown is expected to be carried out in phases.

The development raises important questions for foreign nationals currently holding US visas, particularly those who entered the country on temporary visas but later sought asylum or explored options to remain permanently.

For now, Washington has made its position clear: a US visa does not guarantee entry or permanent stay, and authorities are increasingly focused on whether visa holders were truthful about their intentions when they applied.

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How will the US visa crackdown affect future Indian applicants?

Future Indian applicants for US visas will face tighter screening and procedural hurdles. The post-study window to transition to a work visa, change status, or depart the US has been reduced from 60 days to 30 days.

Could this policy change impact other temporary visa holders?

The policy change could affect hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals annually, including students, professionals on H-1B and L visas, and temporary visitors. It could also impact foreign students, exchange visitors, and journalists by replacing open-ended stays with fixed time periods.

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