Student Visa Revocations & SEVIS Record Terminations: What You Need to Know
In the last few months, international students studying in the United States have been experiencing increasing uncertainty as their student visa has been nullified and their records in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) have been revoked.
Reports from May 2025 highlighted that the State Department has already taken more than 1600 student visas and terminated SEVIS records for 4700 international students. The policy changes have affected students from more than 40 countries, with the largest impact on students from India, China, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Nigeria, reflecting the broader demographics of international students in the United States.
Understanding these developments, why they happen, how they affect students’ careers, and what to watch out for is crucial to know for any student planning to study in the U.S. or already studying there.
What is SEVIS, and how does it tie to Student Visas?
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System is an electronic system handled and navigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Department of State (DOS) that tracks non-immigrant students in F-1, M-1, and J-1 status in the U.S. from the time their visa is issued until they complete their program, depart, or otherwise change status.
A SEVIS record is created when a student is admitted to the United States by a university using Form I-20 (or DS-2019 for an exchange Visa). The student must keep the record up to current, remain enrolled, follow guidelines specific to their visa type, and notify SEVIS of any modifications made by the institution’s Designated Schools Official (DSO).
The SEVIS record may be terminated if the student does not comply (for instance, by not enrolling, dropping below full-time without permission, working illegally, or changing status incorrectly), endangering the student’s legal status in the United States.
Difference Between Visa Revocation and SEVIS Termination
| Feature | Visa Revocation | SEVIS Termination |
| Authority | U.S. Department | U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement |
| Scope | Cancels the visa stamp in the passport | Ends the students’ active SEVIS Status inside the U.S. |
| Effect on Status | Visa is invalid for re-entry, but it does not end the status if the student is already in the U.S. | Immediately ends legal student status inside the U.S. |
| Common Causes | Security grounds, criminal records, policy concerns | Non-compliance, dropping below full-time, unauthorized work |
| Notification | Email or phone contact from the U.S. embassy/consulate | Notice via the school’s DSO or SEVIS alert |
| Next Step | Must apply for a new visa to return | Must leave the U.S. or apply for reinstatement |
| Reversibility | Usually irreversible | May be reinstated if an error or an appeal |
Reasons for dismissal or revocation
According to U.S. immigration law, the federal government has extensive authority to cancel student visas for a variety of reasons, such as national security, public interest, or foreign policy considerations.
Official grounds for SEVIS terminations include expulsion, refusal of extension or change of status, and inability to maintain status (such as unauthorized work or lowering one’s course load below full-time).
However, a lot of students and institutions are confused by the lack of transparency, as terminations and revocations have recently targeted students for protest participation or extremely minor offenses (such as a driving ticket or a dismissed misdemeanor case).
Reversal of policy and legal challenge
Numerous lawsuits ensued because it seemed that so many students were impacted without adequate notice or due process. In response, the government changed its strategy in April 2025. In a court document dated April 26, ICE declared that SEVIS data for impacted students who had not received their visa stamps “shall remain Active or be re-activated.”
Simultaneously, the administration declared that it was developing a formal policy framework for SEVIS terminations in the future.
Impact on Students/Institution
For Students
- Termination of SEVIS automatically places the student out of lawful F/M/J status, which can trigger removal proceedings.
- A visa revocation prevents the student from entering the country again, and if they depart, they might not be able to come back.
- Losing SEVIS status frequently leads to immediate loss of job authorization (like OPT), as well as the inability to graduate, transfer schools, or register for classes.
- Deportation, the inability to qualify for future visas, or harm to their academic and professional goals are all possible outcomes for affected students.
For educational institutions
- Confusion has been noted by colleges and universities. Schools were not informed in advance of the revocations or SEVIS terminations; therefore, many impacted kids had no notice.
- Such measures put institutions’ reputations at risk, may discourage international student enrollment, and mandate that educational institutions offer legal and advisory services.
Conclusion
A change in U.S. immigration enforcement toward foreign students is indicated by the surge of student visa revocations and SEVIS record terminations. The risk still exists even if many terminations were overturned and new regulations are on the horizon. Strict compliance, keeping up to date, and getting the right advice are essential for anyone studying in the United States.
Although American colleges and economies benefit from having international students, the current climate may necessitate greater preparation and attention than in the past. Treating your student visa and SEVIS record as your legal lifeline in the American system is crucial if you are an international student or intend to become one.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What happens if your student visa gets terminated?
If your student visa is revoked, you can no longer use it to enter the United States. However, if you’re already in the country, the revocation alone does not require you to leave or result in immediate.
2. What happens if anyone’s SEVIS is terminated?
When an F-1 or M-1 SEVIS record is terminated, the student loses all work authorization and cannot re-enter the U.S. ICE may also investigate to verify the student’s departure.
3. How many SEVIS have been terminated?
According to reports of May 2025, almost 4700 SEVIS terminations have been recorded.