USA News

CBP Cancels Valid F1 Visa, Brings More Trouble for H1B

An Indian student’s routine trip back home turned into a serious visa issue that is now affecting his H-1B case. What started as a smooth journey has become a prolonged immigration challenge with uncertain outcomes.

The student shared his experience on Reddit, stating he moved to the US in 2021 on an F-1 visa. He completed his master’s at Boston University in 2023. He later joined an Executive MBA at New England College after transferring his SEVIS record.

ADVERTISEMENT

He held a valid visa until 2026 and had applied for Curricular Practical Training after completing three semesters. However, in March last year, while returning from India, he was stopped by US Customs and Border Protection officials at entry.

The officers cancelled his F-1 visa, claiming there was no active I-20 or SEVIS record. The student stated that his university confirmed the SEVIS was active at that time. Despite this, CBP denied entry, ending his second degree abruptly.

After returning to India, he continued applying for US jobs based on his completed master’s degree. When his H-1B visa was selected by an employer, it appeared to offer a fresh opportunity despite the earlier setback.

During the visa interview, officials examined the SEVIS issue in detail. The student was asked to provide a written explanation of his academic history. The consulate then issued a 221(g) slip, placing the application under administrative processing.

More than four months later, the case remains pending on the CEAC website with several updates but no final decision. The situation highlights how a single CBP action can impact long term plans and create uncertainty for Indian applicants.

Share
Manaswini K

Manaswini is a senior writer with extensive experience covering Telugu cinema, as well as the broader Indian film landscape, including Bollywood, Tamil, and other regional industries. With a strong focus on NRI (Non-R…

Published by

Recent Posts

IPL 2026: RCB Into Final, GT Totally Exposed

Royal Challengers Bangalore have reached the IPL 2026 final after beating Gujarat Titans by 92…

2 hours ago

Superstars Saving South Cinema This Summer: Next Peddi?

Since the beginning of this year, both the Kollywood and Mollywood film industries mostly depended…

2 hours ago