U.S. Embassy in India Warns Theft Can Get Visa Cancelled After Viral Shoplifting Video

The U.S. isn’t sugarcoating its rules for Indian visitors, and it’s making that crystal clear. Will these warnings spook aspiring travelers, or just remind them to play by the book?

The U.S. Embassy in India issued a new advisory on Wednesday, warning that it can cancel visas if a person commits theft, assault, or similar crimes in the United States.

The advisory followed a viral video showing a woman, who says she is an Indian tourist, being detained by the police for allegedly stealing over $1,300 worth of goods from a Target store in Illinois.

In a message on X on Wednesday the embassy said: "Committing assault, theft, or burglary in the United States won’t just cause you legal issues – it could lead to your visa being revoked and make you ineligible for future U.S. visas." The embassy added, "The United States values law and order and expects foreign visitors to follow all U.S. laws."