The US Department of State has annulled over 100,000 visas, which encompasses thousands granted to students and specialized professionals. The announcement comes amid extensive immigration enforcement drive and H-1B visa crackdown under President Donald Trump’s second term.
In a statement on X, the State Department said: “The State Department has now revoked over 100,000 visas, including some 8,000 student and 2,500 specialized visas for individuals who had encounters with US law enforcement for criminal activity. We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe.”
US sees sharp surge in visa revocation
The increase in visa revocations is a consequence of Trump’s executive order on his first day in office, which imposed stricter foreign vetting measures, as per a Fox News report. In 2024, approximately 40,000 visas were annulled. The majority of the cancellations in 2025 pertained to business and tourist visitors who had overstayed their visas.
Who were affected?
State Department Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated that the revocations pertained to foreign nationals who faced charges or convictions for offenses such as assault, theft, and driving under the influence (DUI). In less than one year, the Trump administration has revoked over 100,000 visas, Pigott said, describing it as a significant measure in the enforcement of immigration laws.
The State Department informed Fox News that most of the visa cancellations were related to business and tourist travelers who had overstayed their visas. Additional revocations were associated with arrests or charges concerning drunk driving, assault, theft, child abuse, fraud, and various other crimes.
Furthermore, the report indicated that nearly 500 student visas were revoked due to incidents involving drug possession and distribution.
Somalia has come under heightened scrutiny following a large-scale fraud case in Minnesota, where federal prosecutors uncovered widespread misuse of taxpayer-funded benefit programmes. Many of those implicated were Somali nationals or Somali-Americans, according to the report.
The development follows a State Department cable issued in November 2025, which instructed consular posts worldwide to enforce stricter screening under the “public charge” provision of US immigration law. The guidance reportedly requires officers to deny visas to applicants assessed as likely to depend on public benefits.
Under the revised screening framework, consular officers are instructed to evaluate factors such as an applicant’s health, age, English proficiency, financial status and potential need for long-term medical care. Fox News reported that applicants who are older, overweight, or who have previously used government cash assistance or institutional care could face visa denials.
“The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott was quoted as saying.
He added that immigration from the 75 countries would remain paused while the department reassesses procedures aimed at preventing the entry of foreign nationals likely to rely on welfare and public benefits
What Happens Next?
The US State Department said exceptions to the pause will be “very limited” and only granted once applicants clear public charge concerns. The move comes as the Donald Trump administration intensifies its broader immigration crackdown, which has already seen tens of thousands of visas revoked since his return to office.
Full list of affected countries
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Yemen.
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