Documents Needed to Travel

Valid visas carry less risk than expired or revoked visas. A visa is the sticker attached inside your passport that you received from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  It must be valid at the time of entry to the U.S. 

If you have had any encounter with law enforcement, it is recommended you check the email address used for your visa application to see if you have gotten notice about a visa revocation.  If your visa has been revoked, it is a high-risk factor that you could be denied entry to the U.S.  See Revoked Visas section below.

On May 28, 2025 the US Department of State is ordering U.S. embassies and consulates to temporarily pause adding “additional F, M, and J “visa appointment capacity” until it issues further guidance, on an expansion of social media screening and vetting of student and exchange visitor applicants.”

Due to this new directive, individuals who hold an F or J visa should reassess international travel plans if they require a new visa to return to the United States.

Expired visas carry more risk than unexpired visas. If your current visa has expired, you need to apply for and obtain a new visa while abroad before re-entering the U.S. Executive order 14161 requires embassies to do extreme vetting and screening of visa applicants.  Also see Automatic Extension of Visa Validity, Visa Applications and Extreme Vetting sections below.

As of May 28, 2025 there is a pause on all new visa interviews. Please reassess your need for travel.

If traveling to Canada, Mexico or Caribbean for 30 days or less, it may be possible to apply to re-enter the U.S. with an expired visa.  See ISS’s page on Travel to Canada, Mexico or Caribbean.  Also see the Revoked Visa section below.

Revoked visas carry high risk.  If you have had a visa revoked, it is recommended you consult an immigration attorney to understand the possible consequences.  The Secretary of State has authority to revoke a visa once it has been issued.   The Department of State sends notification to the email address used to apply for the visa.  Notification is not sent to schools. If a visa has been revoked, it is no longer valid (even if it has an expiration date in the future).  One would need to apply for a new visa.  Also see Visa Applications section below.

The Department of State Visa Status Tool may be helpful in determining if your visa has been revoked.  You will need your visa application ID number from the DS-160 visa application as well as your passport number and the location where you applied for your visa.  The tool will most likely indicate "issued" unless the visa has been revoked in which case it should say "revoked" and provide the date of the visa revocation.

Backlogs for visa appointments and delays in visa issuance are expected.   Visa applications often go through “Administrative Processing” while an application goes through additional background and security checks.  These can take weeks or longer and there is no way to expedite the process.  See also Extreme Vetting section below.

Although there has not been anything officially announced, there is strong speculation travel bans could be forthcoming, which could impact travelers from multiple countries.   Media is circulating a list which includes possible restrictions for travelers born in or citizens of the following countries:

• Afghanistan
• Belarus
• Bhutan
• Cuba
• Eritrea
• Haiti
• Iran
• Laos
• Libya
• Myanmar
• North Korea
• Pakistan
• Russia
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• Sudan
• Syria
• Turkmenistan
• Venezuela
• Yemen

If travel bans are implemented there may not be much, if any, advance notice.  ISS will share details and anticipated impacts if and when travel bans should be announced. 

There is not an official list for reference, but some majors or areas of research will be subject to additional scrutiny for security reasons.  If the research is in any science area, especially an area which has potential for military applications, there is an increased risk.  

Prior or current military affiliations may be a risk factor to consider.

Executive Order 14161 directs federal agencies to vet and screen to the “maximum degree possible” individuals seeking admission to the U.S.  Vetting will happen at the time of visa application and at the port of entry.  We expect this to result in delays in obtaining visas and more people being sent to secondary inspection at the ports of entry.

Make a contingency plan if there are delays, especially if you are currently employed in the U.S.

The Department of Homeland Security has announced increased screening of social media.  Social media may be reviewed for “content that indicates an alien endorsing, espousing, promoting, or supporting antisemitic terrorism, antisemitic terrorist organizations, or other antisemitic or anti-American activity as a negative factor.”  Support for Foreign Terrorist Organizations is grounds for inadmissibility to U.S.

Any mention of marijuana use on social media can pose issues due to it being federally prohibited even though legal in some states.

At the port of entry, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) has the right to search electronic devices for non-immigrants, permanent residents and U.S. citizens.  See CBPs webpage on Border Search of Electronic Devices at Ports of Entry.  The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has information on Know Your Rights: Enforcement at the Airport.

Information about device search at the border from the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Client Flyer: Electronic Device Searches (March 6, 2025, AILA Doc. No. 2503604)

Any arrest, even without charges increases the risk level. If you have had any interaction with law enforcement, it is recommended you consult with an attorney to understand the risk factors.

Maintaining status lowers risks.  ISS provides tips on Maintaining F-1 Status.  This includes reporting a change of address within 10 days of the change in iHawk.

• Unexpired passport (valid for at least six months beyond the date of travel to the U.S.)
• Unexpired visa (Canadians are exempt from visa requirement)
• Unexpired DS-2019 with travel signature (valid for 12 months)
• SEVIS Fee Receipt
• Evidence of continued employment/visiting scholar appointment of J-1 scholar