Some foreing visitors travel to Arizona each year by using B2 nonimmigrant visas. These visas may be revoked by U.S. consuls for several reasons. It is important for people to understand why this can happen.

If a consul determines that the visitor actually intends to try to immigrate to the U.S. by overstaying a visitor visa, the consul may then revoke it. The intention must be demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence such as working while the visitor is in the U.S. The nonimmigrant visa may also be revoked if the person receives an immigrant visa. If the person removes the visa from his or her passport, it may also be revoked. Finally, the visa holder may also have the visa revoked if he or she has had a conviction for driving while intoxicated within the previous five years.

The consul must notify the visa holder of the intent to revoke the visa. The visa holder may then attend a hearing and present evidence showing why the visa should not be revoked. Once a final decision to revoke the visa has been made, the visa holder may not request a reconsideration of it. He or she may apply for a new visa, however.

The ability of U.S. consuls to revoke nonimmigrant visas is meant to reduce illegal immigration rates. Visa holders who have received notices of the consul’s intention to revoke their visas might want to talk to experienced immigration law attorneys. If there are valid reasons why the visas should not be revoked, the attorneys may help their clients to gather the evidence that is needed to show why it should not occur. People whose visas have been revoked and who want to apply for new visas may also want to get legal help which could increase their chances of approval.