The United States Embassy in India has issued a stark warning to Indian citizens holding B1 (business) and B2 (tourism) visitor visas, cautioning that any misuse or overstaying beyond the permitted duration could result in a permanent ban from future travel to the US. This advisory was disseminated on Thursday, January 8, 2026, via an animated video posted on the embassy's official X (formerly Twitter) handle as part of a 'Visa Guide' series. The embassy explicitly stated, 'If you misuse your visa or stay longer than permitted, you could be permanently banned from future travel.' The warning underscores that a US visa is a privilege, not a right, and places the responsibility squarely on visa holders to understand and adhere to the specific rules and permitted activities associated with their B1/B2 visitor visa. Consular officers retain the right to deny an application during the interview stage if they believe the applicant does not intend to follow the visa regulations. This recent caution for B1/B2 visa holders follows earlier warnings issued by the US Embassy in India for other visa categories. On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, a similar advisory was given to international student visa holders, indicating that violating US laws or being arrested could lead to visa revocation, deportation, and ineligibility for future US visas. The embassy had also previously warned H-1B and H-4 work visa applicants about severe consequences for immigration law violations, amidst ongoing crackdowns on illegal immigration and tightening of visa norms under the current administration.