Travel and Visa Information - Global Engagement

Last updated on December 17, 2025

Active Travel/Visa Restrictions
Other Travel/Visa Related Notifications
General Travel Advice

This website is not intended to serve as legal advice and is not a substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney. If you are experiencing legal issues related to your immigration record, please consult an experienced immigration lawyer or recognized/accredited organization or representative for legal advice or for legal assistance. If you're not sure where to begin with finding an attorney, then check the ISSS Legal Resources page.

Active Travel/Visa Restrictions

On December 16, 2025, the White House released a presidential proclamation and fact sheet that continued or added restrictions on visa issuance and entry to the U.S. for 40 countries. Please review the proclamation and fact sheet for full details; exceptions apply. Limited travel advice from ISSS can be found below; for further advice, please consult an immigration attorney.

The following countries and/or groups are affected starting at 12:01 a.m. EST on January 1, 2026:

Full restrictions on entry to the U.S. for 20 countries and groups

Afghanistan
Burkina Faso
Burma
Chad
Congo
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Haiti
Iran
Laos
Libya
Mali
Niger
Palestinian Authority issued or endorsed travel documents
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Sudan
Sudan
Syria
Yemen

Partial restrictions on entry to the U.S. for 20 countries and groups

Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Benin
Burundi
Cote d'Ivoire
Cuba
Dominica
Gabon
The Gambia
Malawi
Mauritania
Nigeria
Senegal
Tanzania
Tonga
Togo
Turkmenistan
Venezuela
Zambia
Zimbabwe

What does this mean?

You will be affected by the visa suspensions and entry bans/restrictions if you are a citizen of one of the above countries/groups and are outside of the U.S. without a valid visa as of January 1, 2026.
If you are currently inside the U.S. and/or have a valid visa, you might be able to enter the U.S. after international travel, but this is not guaranteed. You should expect increased scrutiny at the port of entry.
The order also specifically states that visas issued before the effective date will not be revoked based on the executive order.

Other Travel/Visa Notifications

Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for H-1B and Dependent H-4 Visa Applicants - U.S. Department of State (December 3, 2025)

Since June 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) has expanded screening and vetting including online presence, of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant classifications. As of December 15, the Department of State will expand the requirement that an online presence review be conducted for all H-1B applicants and their dependents, in addition to the students and exchange visitors already subject to this review. To facilitate this vetting, all applicants for H-1B and their dependents (H-4), F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas are instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to “public.”

H‑1B/H‑4 visa applicants may face extended delay and additional scrutiny. Please work with your employer and/or immigration counsel if you are experience significant delays.

DOS Visa News

Update to Third Country Processing Rules for Visa Applicants - U.S. Department of State (September 6, 2025)

On September 6, 2025, the U.S. State Department updated its guidance around nonimmigrants renewing visas in a third country (a country other than their country of nationality or residence). The updated guidance states that applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas (NIV) should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence. Furthermore, nonimmigrant visa holders should expect to wait significantly longer for an appointment scheduled outside their country of nationality or residence. Fees for appointments scheduled in a third country are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

In cases where the United States does not have visa operations in a country, nationals of that country must use specific designated posts for their visa application (listed below):

Designated Locations for Nonimmigrant Visa Processing:

NATIONAL OF	DESIGNATED LOCATION(S)
Afghanistan	Islamabad
Belarus	Vilnius, Warsaw
Burkina Faso	Lome
Chad	Yaoundé
Cuba	Georgetown
Haiti	Nassau
Iran	Dubai
Libya	Tunis
Niger	Ouagadougou
Russia	Astana, Warsaw
Somalia	Nairobi
South Sudan	Nairobi
Sudan	Cairo
Syria	Amman
Ukraine	Krakow, Warsaw
Venezuela	Bogota
Yemen	Riyadh
Zimbabwe	Johannesburg

Applicants must be able to provide proof of their country of residence during the visa interview.
This update is generally not expected to impact previously-scheduled appointments, but would be expected to apply to appointments scheduled going forward.

Enhanced Immigration Vetting and Screening - The White House (January 20, 2025)

Executive Order 14161, from January 20, 2025:

Directs federal agencies to enhance immigration screening and vetting procedures to prevent the entry of individuals who may pose a terrorist, national security, or public safety threat to the United States.
Requires a comprehensive review of visa and immigration policies to ensure stringent security measures.
Key provisions include identifying high-risk countries for potential entry restrictions, strengthening refugee screening, and evaluating visa programs for potential security vulnerabilities.
Additionally, the order mandates stricter oversight of foreign nationals already in the U.S. and calls for measures to promote immigrant assimilation into American society.

General Travel Advice

In the past, ISSS has maintained that it is not necessary to carry legal immigration documents with you during normal travel within the United States. However, current recommendations are shifting to where we are encouraging students and visiting scholars to carry sufficient documentation with them while traveling inside the United States in order to sufficiently respond to requests for evidence that they are here legally and maintaining status.

If possible, do not travel alone and/or share a copy of your itinerary with someone who isn't traveling with you.

Travel in the U.S. or international with all applicable documents from the list below in physical form (not just digitally):

Aggie ID card (original)
Current passport valid for at least 6 months (printed copy when on campus, original if off campus)
U.S. driver license (original)
Most recently-issued U.S. visa (printed copy when on campus, original if off campus)
Documentation issued by USCIS, such as LPR card, EAD card, Receipt Notice, and/or Approval Notice (printed copy when on campus, original if off campus)
I-94 record (printed copy)
Most recent, signed Form I-20 or DS-2019 (printed copy)
Proof of residency, enrollment, and/or employment (printed copies)

Do not travel with your Social Security Number (SSN) card unless you need it for employment onboarding! Keep your SSN card at home in a safe location!

Additional Tips for Traveling Internationally

Any time you travel internationally, there is always a risk involved because there is never a guarantee you will be permitted re-entry to the U.S.
There does appear to be increased scrutiny of most immigration processes, including visa issuance and Port of Entry decisions
Many U.S. universities, immigration attorneys, and other organizations are recommending that international students, scholars, and their dependents avoid international travel, if possible.
In addition to the documentation shared on the last page, make sure you have:
- A U.S. visa that will be valid on your intended arrival date (original)
- Valid signature(s) on current Form I-20 or DS-2019 for you and any F-2/J-2 dependents (original)
- Copies of your previously-issued I-20s or DS-2019s (digital)

If you have questions or concerns about travel within the United States, please Contact ISSS. Additionally, you may wish to Consult an Immigration Attorney if you have specific questions that exceed our scope of practice.