[3] Although media sources in India speculated that UNVA would close permanently in 2011,[4] the university remained open[5] and moved to South Dakota in 2013 when the Commonwealth of Virginia revoked its license to operate in that state.

On October 1, 2013, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ended UNVA's authorization to admit foreign students.

[10] UNVA's founder and majority owner is Daniel Ho, an entrepreneur who owns Super Q Mart International Food, which operates three grocery stores in the Washington, D.C., area.

[1] Chancellor David V. Lee resigned on August 19, 2011, stating that "discussions of my personal life have become a distraction for students and friends of UNVA.

[14] A March 2011 article in The Chronicle of Higher Education compared UNVA's enrollment practices and business model to those of Tri-Valley University, a California institution that was forced to close after facing an investigation for visa fraud.

[1] The Chronicle article states that UNVA enrolls Indian students who work full-time in "internships," without being required to attend actual classes.

In 2008, Shines College students were reported to be confused and unsure how they would be affected by news that UNVA had lost accreditation in the United States.

[30] In 2007, UNVA Properties, an investment group associated with UNVA, provided financing to Myers University (subsequently renamed Chancellor University) in Cleveland, Ohio, allowing that financially troubled non-profit school to continue operating.

[31][32] It was alleged that UNVA Properties wanted to acquire Myers University's regional accreditation for for-profit use.

[14] On October 1, 2013, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ended UNVA's authorization to admit foreign students.