US Plans Mass B1/B2 Visa Revocations: What It means For Ukrainians

26.08.2026, 13:17 visitukraine.today

The US may revoke up to 200,000 B1/B2 visas held by asylum applicants. Find out whether Ukrainians could be affected

The Donald Trump administration is preparing to review American tourist and business visa holders who applied for asylum after entering the United States. According to the Associated Press, the procedure could potentially affect up to 200,000 foreigners, including Ukrainians, if they meet the stated criteria.

The US Department of State may announce the visa revocations in the coming weeks if the plan is not revised or challenged in court. The measure concerns B1, B2 and combined B1/B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026.

The review is being conducted jointly by the Department of State and the US Department of Homeland Security. American authorities intend to identify people who entered the country as temporary visitors and later applied for asylum in order to remain in the United States permanently.

The authorities have not yet announced the exact number of people who could be affected. The Associated Press estimates that the figure could reach 200,000, based on internal State Department documents and information from two US officials. The review may take place gradually, so the number of revoked visas could change.

If implemented on the announced scale, the plan would become the largest single visa revocation campaign in US history.

Read also: The US Launches Paid Expedited B1/B2 Visa Appointments in 2026: New Interview Scheduling Rules

The review could concern foreign nationals who meet several conditions at the same time:

A B1 visa is intended for temporary business travel. A B2 visa is used for tourism, visiting relatives, leisure and medical treatment, while a combined B1/B2 visa may cover both purposes.

These are nonimmigrant visas. They are intended for temporary stays in the United States, so applicants must confirm the purpose of their trip and their intention to leave the country after it ends.

The US authorities have not announced a separate campaign targeting Ukrainian citizens. The published information also contains no specific exemption for Ukrainians, so Ukrainian nationals could theoretically be included in the review if they meet all the stated criteria.

The measure could potentially affect Ukrainians who:

The plan does not mean that the visas of all Ukrainians in the United States will be cancelled automatically. It has also not been announced as a termination of temporary protection programmes, humanitarian parole, Uniting for Ukraine, student visas, work visas or immigrant visas.

At the same time, one person may have several immigration documents and grounds for staying in the country. The consequences will therefore depend on the individual situation, the date of entry, the current status and the stage of the asylum case.

Read also: The US Is Giving Away Free Land to Attract New Residents: What Conditions Does Curtis, Nebraska Offer?

The revocation of a B1/B2 visa does not by itself mean immediate deportation. According to the AP, most people with pending asylum cases may be moved into another immigration category while retaining the possibility of further case processing. However, they would lose their status as business or tourism visitors.

An asylum application is considered under a separate procedure. USCIS states that a person may file Form I-589 while physically present in the United States, and the case status can be checked through the official Case Status Online service.

Visa revocation may affect the ability to use that document for future entry into the United States. If a person leaves the country, the consequences for returning will depend on their current immigration status and other authorisations.

Applicants should not leave the United States on their own after receiving a visa revocation notice or while they have a pending asylum case. Before travelling, they should obtain individual advice from a US immigration attorney.

Visa revocation does not automatically end the processing of an asylum application. The case continues through the relevant procedure until USCIS or an immigration court issues a decision.

USCIS states that an asylum application is generally filed within one year of arrival in the United States. An applicant may include their spouse and children who are in the country in the case if they meet the applicable requirements.

In some cases, a person with a pending asylum application may obtain employment authorisation. To apply, they must file Form I-765, although eligibility depends on the applicable processing timelines and other conditions.

Applicants should separately check:

Missing an interview, hearing or filing deadline may harm the applicant’s case regardless of whether their visa has been revoked.

US consulates are already paying closer attention to whether an applicant genuinely plans to make a temporary trip. When applying for a B1 or B2 visa, applicants may be asked to provide evidence of:

The Department of State says that applicants for visitor visas must confirm the purpose of their trip, their intention to leave the United States and their ability to cover travel expenses. An invitation from relatives or friends does not by itself replace evidence of ties to the applicant’s country of residence.

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A B1/B2 visa does not allow permanent residence, regular employment or study in the United States. Those purposes require other immigrant or nonimmigrant visa categories.

Intentionally providing false information during the visa application process may lead to a refusal or a ban on entering the United States. Ukrainians who are considering applying for asylum should discuss the possible grounds and procedure with a qualified professional in advance.

The possible review would form part of the Trump administration’s stricter immigration policy. According to the Associated Press, the Department of State revoked approximately 175,000 visas over the past 18 months. The stated grounds included criminal charges or convictions, visa violations, security concerns and certain public statements made by visa holders.

The authorities have also increased scrutiny of applicants’ social media activity, introduced visa bonds for citizens of some countries and expanded requirements for proving the temporary purpose of a visit.

The administration’s plans have already prompted public debate. The mass visa revocation campaign is expected to face legal challenges, so the final rules and scope of the procedure may still change.

Ukrainians who entered the United States on a B1/B2 visa and applied for asylum should:

If a person receives a visa revocation notice, they should determine whether the decision concerns only the visa document or also changes their current immigration status. If an asylum case is pending, they should separately check whether their employment authorisation, humanitarian parole documents and other grounds for staying in the country remain valid.

The United States is considering revoking up to 200,000 B1/B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to people who applied for asylum after entering the country. Ukrainians have not been identified as a separate group, but Ukrainian citizens could be included if they meet the general criteria.

Visa revocation does not amount to automatic deportation and does not by itself terminate an asylum case. However, it may affect the possibility of re-entering the United States and require a review of all valid immigration documents.

The final decision has not yet been announced, and its details may change following a review or court proceedings. Ukrainians who could be affected should monitor USCIS notices and obtain individual legal advice.

Reminder: Ukrainians in the United States may apply for Temporary Protected Status, or TPS. Read our article: What is TPS, who is eligible and how can Ukrainians apply?

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