Work & skilled workersAnnouncementCritical impactVerified

United States Entry Rules

🇺🇸 United StatesEntry Rules5 recorded versionsLast change 25 Aug 2026

ConfidenceVery high · 90%

Current rules

The U.S. government is preparing to revoke B1 (business) and B2 (tourism) visas for foreigners who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum status in the United States. This action will be taken in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department.

Overview

The U.S. is reportedly introducing a new policy to vet the social media of foreign journalists applying for visas. This initiative is expected to add an additional layer of scrutiny to the visa application process for international media professionals. The announcement comes via a report from Reuters, suggesting an upcoming change in immigration procedures.

Who is affected by the latest change

Foreigners holding B-1 and B-2 visas who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum status in the United States

What changed in the latest version

Before

Before this announcement, foreign nationals with B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourism) visas could apply for asylum while in the United States. They did not automatically lose their nonimmigrant visas. Their status usually changed to 'asylum seeker' after they applied.

After

The United States government plans to revoke B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourism) visas for foreigners. These foreigners have applied for or are now seeking asylum in the United States. This action will happen with the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State.

This policy change means that people with B-1 or B-2 visas who have sought or are seeking asylum in the U.S. will have their visas revoked. This ends their legal right to be in the U.S. under those visitor visa types. Their status will change only to that of an asylum applicant. This will not lead to immediate deportation. But, it removes the dual status they had before. This could affect their travel options and their legal standing. This change alters how nonimmigrant visa holders can seek asylum without also losing their visa.

Explained simply

Imagine you got a special pass to visit a theme park for a few days, but then you decide you want to live there permanently and apply to be a resident. The park management is now saying that if you do that, they will take away your visitor pass because it wasn't meant for you to stay forever. This is what the U.S. government is doing for people who came here on visitor passes (B1 or B2 visas) but then asked for asylum, wanting to stay longer. They're going to cancel those visitor passes for many people, meaning those passes are no longer valid, even if the person's request to stay is still being reviewed.

Frequently asked

Version history

v7Issued 24 Aug 2026AnnouncementCritical impact
U.S. Plans to Revoke B-1 and B-2 Visas for Certain Asylum Seekers
The United States government plans to revoke B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourism) visas for up to 200,000 people. These people have applied for or are now seeking asylum in the United States. The Department of State, working with the Department of Homeland Security, will announce this plan soon. This action will not lead to immediate deportation. But, people affected will lose their status as short-term visitors.
v6Effective 21 Aug 2026AnnouncementCritical impact
US Federal Judge Strikes Down Trump-Era Immigrant Visa Ban Affecting 75 Countries
A federal judge in Manhattan has cancelled the Trump administration's ban on immigrant visas for people from 75 countries. The judge said the ban was 'contrary to law'. The United States (US) Department of State had stopped issuing immigrant visas to people from these countries. These countries included Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Haiti, Somalia, and Russia. The department was worried that these people would use public benefits. This ruling came out on Friday. It changes any visa denials that happened only because of this specific policy. It confirms that the government must look at each person individually to decide if they are likely to need public benefits. This decision must consider their money, age, health, skills, and family situation, not just their country of origin.
v5Issued 20 Aug 2026ProposalHigh impact
IRS Proposes Immigration-Based Restrictions on Refundable Tax Credit Refunds
The U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have published a Proposed Rule in the Federal Register on 20 August 2026. This rule clarifies that the refunded portion of specific individual refundable income tax credits, including the Adoption Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, American Opportunity Tax Credit, Earned Income Credit, Premium Tax Credit, and Saver's Match, are to be considered 'Federal public benefits' under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA). The proposal also outlines the definition of the 'refunded portion,' sets guidelines for determining alien status, addresses joint tax returns involving individuals subject to PRWORA, and includes a self-certification requirement. The public comment period for this Proposed Rule closes on 5 October 2026.
v4Effective 12 Aug 2026EffectiveHigh impact
State Department Establishes Task Force to End Birth Tourism
The U.S. State Department created a Task Force to Prevent Birth Tourism. This task force combats people using nonimmigrant visas to give birth in the U.S. It started on 12 August 2026. The task force reviews what visa holders do around the world. It finds cases of birth tourism. It takes action to cancel visas, having already cancelled over 600. It also aims to stop groups that make money from this practice. Foreign nationals who lie about why they travel may never get a U.S. visa or entry.
v3Effective 11 Aug 2026EffectiveMedium impact
Regulatory Changes for C and D Nonimmigrant Classifications to Include Lightering Operations
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) changed its rules. These changes follow the Energy Security and Lightering Independence Act of 2022. This update lets more people use the C (transit) and D (crewmen) nonimmigrant categories. These are people who move liquid cargo between ships. This work is called lightering. These people can now get permission to enter the U.S. or temporary landing permits. They can stay for up to 180 days.

Timeline

Action deadline
5 Oct 2026
Submit written or electronic comments on the proposed regulation to the Internal Revenue Service by 5 October 2026.
Announced
20 Aug 2026
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a Proposed Rule to define the refunded portion of certain federal refundable tax credits, including the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Credit, as 'Federal Public Benefits' under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA). This rule, published on 20 August 2026, would clarify that non-qualified aliens gener
Announced
12 Aug 2026
The U.S. State Department, under President Trump and Secretary Rubio's leadership, has launched a Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force on 12 August 2026. This initiative aims to uphold the integrity of U.S. citizenship and ensure nonimmigrant visas are used for their lawful purposes. The Task Force reviews visa holder activities, revokes visas associated with birth tourism, and works to dismantle
Takes effect
11 Aug 2026
The C (transit) and D (crewmen) nonimmigrant classifications now include individuals who perform ship-to-ship liquid cargo transfer operations (lightering) to or from another vessel engaged in foreign trade. Qualifying aliens performing lightering operations are authorised to seek admission to the United States or request temporary landing permits for a period not to exceed 180 days under these cl

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