US Issues Fresh Warning to Indian Citizens on Visa Overstay
The United States Embassy in India has issued a crucial warning to Indian nationals residing in the USA whose visas have expired. In an official post on its ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) account, the embassy stated that individuals who remain in the United States beyond their authorized stay could face serious consequences.
This warning applies to Indian citizens holding various categories of visas, including tourist, student, and work visas. The embassy emphasized that any violation of visa conditions could lead not only to forced deportation but also to a permanent ban on future entry into the United States.
The embassy further stated that such a ban would severely impact the ability to pursue higher education, employment, or business opportunities in the United States. It advised those who are unable to leave the country due to unforeseen circumstances, even after their visa expires, to immediately contact the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to avoid legal complications.
Previous Warnings
This is not the first such advisory. In the past, the United States Department of Homeland Security had also urged individuals overstaying their visas to leave the country immediately. The department had stated: “Those residing in the United States for more than 30 days beyond their authorized stay must register with federal authorities without fail. Non-compliance will be treated as a criminal offense, potentially leading to fines and imprisonment. It is therefore advisable to return to one’s home country without delay.”
The department also warned that individuals who do not comply with these regulations will be subject to immediate deportation. Moreover, those who stay even a single day beyond the final removal order may face a penalty of $998 per day. If they fail to leave the country voluntarily, fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 may be imposed. Authorities also mentioned that in extreme cases, imprisonment could be enforced, and such individuals would be barred from entering the United States through any legal route in the future.