US TIGHTENS VISA RULES, TARGETS CLASS SKIPPERS, DROPOUTS

The United States has issued a fresh warning to Kenyan and other international students that skipping classes, abandoning academic programmes or withdrawing without notifying their schools could lead to visa revocation or future travel bans.
In a statement on Wednesday August13, 2025, the US Embassy in Nairobi reminded student visa holders to strictly follow the terms of their stay, saying they must attend classes consistently and maintain full-time enrollment to avoid losing their immigration status.
“A US visa is a privilege, not a right. Failure to maintain status can lead to visa cancellation and ineligibility for future travel,” the embassy cautioned.
The tightened rules apply to F-1, M-1 and J-1 visa holders, requiring them to promptly inform their institutions before leaving a programme or making changes. Applicants are also expected to disclose five years of social media activity, with some private accounts needing to be made public.
The measures form part of a broader push by the US government to strengthen immigration compliance and national security.