U.S. Immigration Legal Resources

F-1/J-1 Visa Revocations

Updated 4/6/2025

Click here to review Northeastern’s ‘Navigating a New Political Landscape’ FAQ about visa revocations

We are aware that recent news reports have raised concerns about student visa revocations and detentions at universities across the U.S. These reports highlight that the U.S. Department of State (DOS) has revoked a number of student visas, with officials indicating that additional revocations may occur. While visa revocations have historically been rare and typically tied to arrests and/or criminal charges, recent actions suggest a broader approach by the U.S. government. 

We understand that this news is unsettling. Please know that The Office of Global Services is closely monitoring student SEVIS records daily to identify any unexpected changes. If we become aware of a visa revocation or SEVIS record change that has affected one of our F-1 or J-1 students or alumni, we will notify them immediately and provide guidance on next steps. 

What You Should Know About F-1 or J-1 Visa Revocations 

  • If the U.S. Department of State (DOS) revokes a F-1 or J-1 visa, they typically notify the visa holder directly via email. These emails are usually sent to the address provided in the DS-160 visa application form. 
  • Universities, including Northeastern, are not directly informed of visa revocations by the U.S. Department of State. 
  • A revoked visa does not always affect a student’s ability to stay in the U.S. in valid nonimmigrant status; however, an immigration attorney must be consulted to understand the potential of loss of legal status, along with short- and long-term impacts.  
  • Some students do not become aware of a revoked visa until they attempt to re-enter the U.S. after traveling abroad. 

What You Can Do 

  • If you have ever been arrested, even if the charges were dropped, we advise that you proactively seek legal counsel from an experienced immigration attorney. 
  • Check your email regularly, including any email accounts you used during your visa application process, to ensure you have not received a visa revocation notice. 
  • If you receive a visa revocation notice, contact OGS immediately. We are here to support you and can help you navigate your options. 
  • You may also wish to seek guidance from an experienced immigration attorney. OGS can provide resources and referrals to assist you. 

We remain committed to supporting our international student community and will continue to monitor this situation closely. If you have concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office. 

Effect of Criminal Arrest on F-1/J-1 Nonimmigrant Status

The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, please consult with a qualified immigration or criminal attorney.

If you’ve ever been arrested or had any legal interactions with the authorities regarding criminal charges, you may be wondering how this could affect your visa or nonimmigrant status in the U.S. Many visa and immigration-related applications ask whether you have ever been arrested, and it is essential to answer this question truthfully. 

If you find yourself in this situation, it’s important to seek legal guidance. We strongly recommend consulting both an immigration attorney and a criminal attorney to understand the potential impact on your status and future applications. 

If you are an international student or scholar, be sure to inform the Office of Global Services (OGS) as soon as possible. Below, you’ll find answers to some common questions about arrests and their implications for your nonimmigrant status. 

If you are taken into police custody and arrested in the U.S. on criminal charges, law enforcement is required to inform you of your “Miranda rights.” These rights include statements like “You have the right to remain silent” and “You have the right to consult an attorney.” 

Being arrested does not always mean you will be formally charged with a crime. Typically, charges are filed after an arrest, at which point you would be presented with an indictment outlining the alleged offense and the law you are accused of violating. However, it is possible to be arrested and later released without any charges. 

If you appear in court and either plead guilty or are found guilty, you will be considered convicted of a crime. However, immigration consequences are not always limited to formal criminal convictions—depending on the circumstances, admissions made to immigration officers or law enforcement could also trigger immigration bars or deportation. 

If you are arrested for or charged with a crime, we strongly recommend seeking legal counsel from two attorneys: one specializing in immigration law and another in criminal law. A criminal attorney may not always be aware of how their advice could affect your immigration status, making the guidance of an immigration attorney essential. Having the right legal support will help you navigate the court process and understand how it may impact your specific situation. 

If you are arrested but not charged with a crime, it is important to answer “yes” to the question about whether you have ever been arrested on a visa (or other government) application, even if the charges were dropped or you were found not guilty. This is because when an individual is arrested, their fingerprints are automatically shared with various government databases, including those of the Department of State (DOS), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This means that the federal government has access to arrest records, even if there is no conviction. 

Embassy staff are likely to have access to this information through official channels, so it is critical to provide truthful answers on your visa application and during the visa interview. Failing to disclose this information could lead to accusations of fraud, which may result in visa revocation and a permanent ban from entering the U.S. You will usually have the chance to explain the circumstances of the arrest and its outcome. Always be honest in these situations to avoid serious consequences. 

Visas are always issued at the discretion of the Department of State (DOS) visa officer, and an arrest or conviction can significantly impact your ability to obtain a visa to enter the U.S. For guidance regarding your specific situation, it’s important to consult with a qualified immigration attorney. 

 An arrest or conviction will not necessarily cause you to lose your legal status in the U.S.  

If the arrest involves disciplinary action at Northeastern (e.g. academic suspension or expulsion), you may lose legal status due to failure to maintain full-time enrollment with on-ground presence. 

Even if no disciplinary action is taken by the university, an arrest or conviction may still be reported by law enforcement to ICE fingerprint database sharing. ICE officials will have the discretion to decide whether further action is required. 

Yes, you should expect that any immigration application you submit will include a review of your arrest or criminal history. National and even state databases may be accessible to immigration authorities, which may impact the outcome of your application. It’s advisable to consult with an immigration attorney if you have any concerns about past arrests or convictions. If you’d like, we can provide a list of immigration attorneys who have previously assisted Northeastern University students. 

Possibly, but not always. In some cases, DHS or DOS may notify you via email or phone if your visa is cancelled, especially if you’ve had an arrest or conviction. However, this communication may not always happen. For example, if you have a “Driving Under the Influence” (DUI) or “Driving While Intoxicated” (DWI) arrest or conviction, your visa could be cancelled without direct notice, even if you were not arrested. Additionally, the U.S. Consulate abroad may have access to this information and could cancel your visa stamp, which could impact your ability to re-enter the U.S. or apply for a new visa in the future. 

If your visa stamp is cancelled but your status remains valid and unexpired, it generally won’t affect your stay in the U.S. unless you leave the country. If you do leave, you will need to reapply for a new visa stamp. 

Given the potential long-term implications of a visa revocation or cancellation, it is crucial to consult with an immigration attorney to fully understand how it may affect your situation and future visa applications. 

Even if your criminal record is expunged or sealed by the court, the incident may still have an impact on your immigration status and future visa applications. It’s important not to assume that expunging or sealing your record will eliminate any potential issues. We advise consulting with two attorneys: one specializing in immigration law and another in criminal law, to better understand the implications of your expunged or sealed case. 

Please review these resources from Mass Legal Help to educate yourself about what you should do if you are detained by ICE.

Thanks to the Office of International Affairs at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and New York University for developing the majority of this content.