The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi has cautioned Kenyan students studying in the United States that skipping classes or abandoning their academic programmes without notifying their institutions could lead to the cancellation of their visas and jeopardize future travel to the country.
In a notice issued on August 13, the embassy said the warning applies to both current students and those preparing to travel for studies. It stressed that even withdrawing from a course without formal communication to the school could result in losing eligibility for future U.S. visas.
The advisory comes amid a period of tighter immigration controls in the U.S., with increased scrutiny on holders of F-1 and J-1 visas. Authorities have stepped up vetting procedures, including checks on social media accounts and are closely monitoring compliance with visa terms. The measures also target individuals suspected of obtaining student visas for non-academic purposes, such as engaging in business or employment.
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Financial difficulties have also been cited as a reason some Kenyan students abroad miss classes or fail to complete semesters, putting them at risk of breaching visa regulations. The U.S. government has shown a strong enforcement stance in recent months. In April 2025, more than 4,700 international student visas were revoked, with some students telling NBC News they received little or no explanation for the action.
There have been reports of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers visiting campuses to enforce removals. In July 2025, a Kenyan student was denied a visa after failing to demonstrate strong ties to her home country, while another was detained for changing his major without informing his university’s international office, a requirement under the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
The embassy urged Kenyan students to remain enrolled, attend classes regularly and communicate promptly with their designated school officials to avoid violations that could lead to visa revocation.
By Benedict Aoya
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