A former student visa holder recently faced an unexpected ordeal at a US border checkpoint. Despite having a valid visitor visa, their old F-1 record continues to trigger repeated scrutiny from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Old Student Visa Creates Trouble
The traveller shared that they studied in the US from 2013 to 2017 under an F-1 visa and later worked briefly on Optional Practical Training (OPT) before leaving in early 2018. Their stay was clean, with no visa violations or residency applications.
Repeated Flagging by CBP
Since 2019, every US transit has turned stressful. During one trip, a self-check kiosk displayed a large “X,” forcing a secondary screening over their expired F-1 status. Even during their latest visit a few weeks ago this time using a different passport under ESTA they were again pulled aside for questioning.
Officials Confirm Constant Flagging
According to the traveller, a border officer explained that the system would always flag them because of their old student visa. The strict database checks mean that even past visa histories continue to trigger reviews, creating anxiety for many travellers.
Fear of Future Travel
With another flight soon connecting through the US, the visitor now feels uneasy. It’s frustrating to face intense questioning despite following all legal procedures. For many, such outdated system alerts have turned routine travel into an unnecessary ordeal.
