A former J-1 visa holder is seeking advice after facing a visa revocation due to a rule misunderstanding during their U.S. exchange program. The individual shared their story on Reddit, hoping to gain insight from others who have navigated similar immigration hurdles.
The issue began when their J-1 program was terminated after what they describe as an unintentional violation of a program rule. Following the termination, they were issued a notice of intent to revoke their visa and were called in for a consular interview. During the interview, the applicant was transparent about the events that led to the termination. As a result, their J-1 visa was officially revoked, and a corresponding stamp was placed in their passport. However, their existing B1/B2 tourist visa remained valid and was not cancelled.
According to the applicant, the consular officer informed them that while the revocation would remain on record, no waiver was required to apply for future U.S. visas. The officer encouraged the individual to “move forward” and strengthen their ties to their home country before considering reapplication.
Now in a committed relationship with a U.S. citizen, the individual is exploring the possibility of applying for a CR1 (spousal visa) or K1 (fiancé visa) and is concerned about whether the prior visa revocation could affect the process. They have no history of overstaying in the U.S. and have visited the country multiple times since childhood.
The individual is also curious whether the revocation could impact visa applications to other countries such as Canada or the United Kingdom.
While visa revocations can be a red flag in immigration processes, legal experts suggest that each case is assessed individually. Honesty during application, strong documentation, and evidence of good ties to one’s home country or lawful intentions in the U.S. are key factors in future visa evaluations.