The US State Department has revoked more than 100,000 visas in 2025, the highest annual total on record. The figure is more than double the roughly 40,000 revocations reported in 2024.The department said the increase follows a January 2025 executive order signed by President Donald Trump, which reinstated stricter foreign-vetting rules and expanded post-issuance checks. The revocations span several visa categories.
Officials said about 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialised work visas were cancelled. These cases involved visa holders who had encounters with US law enforcement for criminal activity. The majority of overall revocations, however, involved business and tourist visas, particularly overstays.A State Department spokesperson said many student and worker visas were revoked following arrests or criminal charges. Others were cancelled after reviews under enhanced screening procedures. Among specialised workers, cited offences included driving under the influence, assault, theft, fraud and drug-related cases. The surge comes alongside the rollout of a “continuous vetting” system. Under the programme, visa holders can be reviewed even after they enter the United States. In August 2025, the department said it was reviewing the status of around 55 million foreign nationals holding valid US visas.The enforcement drive also includes renewed use of the “public charge” rule. The rule allows visas to be denied or revoked if applicants are assessed as likely to rely on public benefits. Factors considered include health, age, financial resources and English proficiency.Officials said the policy is aimed at strengthening public safety and national security. They added that reviews and revocations will continue under the current framework.The scale of the cancellations has drawn attention from universities, employers and immigration groups. They have raised concerns about due process and the impact on international students and skilled workers. Earlier student visa revocations in 2025 prompted legal challenges and calls for clearer guidance.The State Department said additional reviews are expected to continue into 2026 as the expanded vetting measures remain in place.
