DOS to Revoke F-1 Visas of Many Chinese Students

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on 28.May.2025 that the U.S. Department of State (DOS) would begin to “aggressively revoke” F-1 visa “stamps” of certain Chinese nationals studying in the United States and will closely scrutinize future visa applicants from China.

Targeting Communists and Those Studying in Critical Fields

In his announcement, Secretary Rubio asserted the DOS would be targeting students “with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.” No specifics were provided regarding what fields would be deemed “critical.”

No Direct Impact on F-1 Status

Notably, the revocation of an F-1 visa would not have any direct effect on a foreign national’s valid status in the United States. The visa is merely an entry document, meaning the document typically is necessary to return from a trip abroad, but as long as the individual remains in the U.S., a visa revocation normally would have no immediate impact.

Yet, Secretary Rubio also noted that the DOS would be coordinating with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as part of the visa revocation process. It is conceivable that, in addition to the DOS revoking visas, the DHS will also take steps to remove these Chinese nationals.

Conclusion

The U.S. government’s new policy towards Chinese students marks a significant escalation in measures affecting international students, particularly those from China. The full scope and implementation details of these policies are still emerging. The Murthy Law Firm will continue to monitor these developments closely and provide updates as more information becomes available.

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