An Indian student on Optional Practical Training (OPT) faced an unexpected nightmare while returning to the United States. His journey took a drastic turn when his F-1 visa was revoked at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) pre-clearance in Abu Dhabi, leaving him stranded in India and separated from his wife.
Sharing his ordeal on social media, the student revealed that CBP officers informed him that he lacked sufficient proof of employment, which led to the visa cancellation. However, his wife, who was traveling with him, was allowed to proceed to the U.S., forcing him to visit the American embassy for a new visa interview.
Detailing the incident, he wrote, “They analyzed I have insufficient proof of my work that I was doing, though I had all the supporting documents like EAD, job offer letter, vacation approval letter, valid I-20. They withdrew my visa and put cancelled on visa stamp. I still have active I-20 and SEVIS.”
Many pointed out that the long visa appointment wait times in India could jeopardize his OPT status. Moreover, the fact that his visa was marked as “canceled” rather than “canceled without prejudice” could impact his chances of securing future U.S. visas.
The Indian student also mentioned that his company is currently filing for an H-1B visa for him. However, this rejection has left him uncertain about his future. If his F-1 visa is denied, the wait for H-1B processing could stretch for months, further complicating his situation.
This incident serves as a stark reminder that even those with valid visas cannot take their travel for granted. A minor issue or an unexpected stopover can upend years of effort within minutes.
