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Visa Revoked Before Boarding a U.S. Flight

  • Visa Revoked Before Boarding a U.S. Flight

VISA REVOCATION BEFORE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

Visa Revoked Before Boarding a U.S. Flight

A U.S. visa can be revoked even though the physical visa foil remains in the passport. Once an applicable revocation has been entered into the Department of State system, the visa is no longer valid for travel unless that revocation is later reversed under the applicable procedures.

Request a Visa Revocation Review

Possible Clues Include

  • Airline says visa is invalid
  • Consular revocation notice
  • Unexpected boarding refusal
  • Prior arrest or new derogatory information
  • Visa still appears unexpired in passport

A Visa Can Be Revoked Before Its Printed Expiration Date

INA §221(i) and 22 C.F.R. §41.122 authorize revocation of a nonimmigrant visa. The printed expiration date therefore does not necessarily establish that the visa remains valid for travel.

A visa can look physically valid while no longer being valid in the Department of State system.

Physical Cancellation Is Not Required for Revocation to Be Effective

The visa-revocation regulation states that failure or inability to physically cancel the visa does not affect the validity of the revocation.

Revocation Entered in CLASS Affects Travel Validity

The regulation states that once an applicable revocation is entered into the Department of State Consular Lookout and Support System, or CLASS, the visa is no longer considered valid for travel to the United States.

Provisional Revocation Can Be Reversed

22 C.F.R. §41.122 provides for provisional revocation while the Department considers information concerning visa eligibility. If a provisional revocation is formally reversed, the visa resumes the validity provided for on its face.

The Airline May Discover the Problem Before the Traveler Does

International carriers verify travel documents and receive assistance from CBP regarding entry requirements and document validity. A passenger may therefore encounter the visa problem at check-in before reaching U.S. inspection.

Revocation Is Different From CBP Cancellation at the Border

A State Department revocation before travel should be distinguished from a DHS officer physically canceling a visa after withdrawal, expedited removal or another action at a port of entry.

See Visa Cancellation at the Border.

Do Not Assume a New Ticket Will Solve the Problem

If the underlying visa has been revoked, attempting to board another carrier with the same visa generally does not restore the visa’s validity.

Frequently Asked Questions

My visa sticker says it is valid for three more years. Can it still be revoked?

Yes. Revocation can terminate travel validity before the expiration date printed on the visa.

Does the embassy have to stamp REVOKED across the visa first?

No. The regulation states that inability to physically cancel the visa does not affect the revocation.

Can a provisional revocation ever be reversed?

Yes. The regulation provides that a reversed provisional revocation restores the visa’s facial validity.

Primary Government Sources

These government materials describe the carrier-document, APIS, ESTA and visa rules discussed on this page.

Determine Whether the Visa Was Actually Revoked Before Attempting Another Flight

A visa revocation requires a different strategy from an airline document misunderstanding, ESTA problem or CBP APIS vetting issue.

Request a Visa Revocation Evaluation