US Prepares to Cancel Nearly 200,000 Visas in Biggest-Ever Visa Cancellation Drive
The United States is preparing to cancel up to nearly 200,000 B-1 and B-2 visas held by foreign nationals who entered the country for business or tourism but later sought asylum, according to the report.
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AUGUST 25, 2026: The United States government is preparing a major visa cancellation drive that could affect nearly 200,000 foreign nationals holding B-1 and B-2 visas, according to the report. If implemented at the projected scale, the move could become the largest mass visa cancellation action in US history.
The proposed action would target people who received business or tourist visas between 2016 and 2026 and later applied, or are applying, for asylum in the United States.
Who Could Be Affected?
The proposed cancellations would primarily involve holders of:
B-1 visas: Generally issued for temporary business activities.
B-2 visas: Generally issued for tourism, visiting family or receiving medical treatment.
According to the report, the US State Department is expected to announce the cancellations in the coming weeks.
Officials say the targeted individuals originally entered the country for short-term purposes but later sought asylum with the intention of remaining in the United States.
Visa Cancellation Does Not Automatically Mean Deportation
One important distinction is that visa cancellation does not automatically mean immediate deportation.
People whose asylum cases are still pending could remain subject to the US immigration process, but their previous B-1 or B-2 visa status would no longer remain valid.
The exact number of people who could ultimately be affected is also unclear. The State Department has reportedly declined to provide a final figure, saying the process could change as individual cases are reviewed.
Trump Administration Tightens Visa Rules
The proposed move comes as the administration of President Donald Trump continues to tighten US immigration and visa policies.
Recent measures have included:
Greater scrutiny of applicants' social media information
Visa bond requirements for nationals of certain countries
Restrictions affecting citizens of selected countries
Increased scrutiny of immigration and asylum applications
US officials argue that tourist and business visas should not be used as a pathway to permanent settlement through asylum applications.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said some people enter the US on tourist or business visas and subsequently seek asylum to remain in the country.
Around 175,000 Visas Already Cancelled
The latest proposed action comes after the State Department has already cancelled approximately 175,000 visas over the past 18 months, according to the report.
Those cancellations have reportedly included people accused or convicted of crimes as well as some individuals involved in activities considered contrary to US policies.
However, the proposed B-1 and B-2 cancellation programme could be significantly larger depending on the final number of people identified.
Why Is the US Taking This Step?
US officials say the government wants to prevent the asylum system from being used as a way to bypass immigration rules.
The administration's argument is that people who enter the country under temporary business or tourism visas are expected to follow the conditions attached to those visas.
The proposed cancellation drive therefore represents another major step in the administration's broader effort to tighten visa enforcement and immigration controls.
Published 4 hours ago in World