The U.S. Embassy in India has issued a warning to Indian students studying in the United States, emphasizing the importance of adhering to student visa regulations. In a statement released on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the Embassy cautioned that students who drop out of their programs, skip classes, or leave their courses of study without properly notifying their schools risk having their visas revoked and potentially being barred from obtaining future U.S. visas.

The warning was conveyed through a post on X (formerly Twitter), with the Embassy stating, "If you drop out, skip classes, or leave your program of study without informing your school, your student visa may be revoked, and you may lose eligibility for future U.S. visas. Always adhere to the terms of your visa and maintain your student status to avoid any issues."

This announcement comes amid increasing scrutiny of international students and immigration policies in the U.S. Earlier this month, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a warning to international students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) visas, stating that failure to report employment within 90 days of starting their OPT would lead to cancellation of their legal status in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

The U.S. Embassy in India had previously issued a warning to Indian immigrants, including those on H-1B visas, student visas, and tourism visas, stating that remaining in the United States beyond the authorized period of stay could result in deportation and a permanent ban on future travel to the U.S.

India is among the leading countries of origin for international students in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of State, there were over 268,000 Indian students enrolled in American colleges and universities in 2023. Many of these students rely on OPT and STEM OPT extensions after graduation to gain work authorization and eventually obtain H-1B visas.

The U.S. government uses SEVIS to maintain and track the status of international students. Typically, a student's status is terminated in SEVIS if they fail to maintain good standing in their program or upon graduation or transition to a different visa. Terminations are often initiated by schools as part of routine data updates.

The warning from the U.S. Embassy serves as a reminder to international students to remain vigilant in maintaining their visa status and complying with all relevant regulations. Violations of visa conditions, such as unauthorized absences or poor academic performance, can not only result in deportation or termination of OPT status but can also negatively impact future visa applications, including those for H-1B, L-1, or green cards.