US Plans to Revoke Visas for Thousands of Foreign Nationals

The United States intends to revoke visas for thousands of foreign nationals who entered the country under tourist or business categories and later sought asylum. The State Department announced Tuesday in Washington that the administration of President Donald Trump aims to combat "fraud" with this measure. Media outlets have reported that as many as 200,000 cases could be affected, although official numbers have not yet been confirmed.

Tommy Pigott, spokesperson for US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, explained that B1 and B2 visas are designated "for individuals who intend to return to their home countries." He emphasized that "applying for a visa only to then file an asylum claim constitutes fraud and is grounds for visa revocation."

Pigott declined to provide specific numbers on those potentially affected, stating only that the process is "ongoing" and the number of individuals involved will "dynamically increase." He reiterated that visas are considered a privilege, not a right.

Since President Trump's inauguration in January 2025, his administration has significantly intensified its actions against immigrants. This has impacted hundreds of thousands of individuals who were previously residing in the United States, whether illegally or legally.

For Austrian citizens, stays of up to 90 days in the U.S. do not require a visa; an electronic travel authorization (ESTA) is sufficient. Those planning to stay longer than 90 days need a B1 visa for business or a B2 visa for tourism.