Travel Alerts

Nationals from Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen are banned from entering the U.S., unless they have a valid visa issued prior to June 9, 2025.

Nationals from Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Syria, and those with Palestinian-Authority-issued travel documents are banned from entering the U.S., unless they have a valid visa issued prior to January 1, 2026.

Nationals from Burundi, Cuba, Togo, and Venezuela are banned from entering the U.S. with B-1, B‑2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, unless they have a valid visa issued prior to June 9, 2025.  Turkmenistan has been removed from this list effective January 1, 2026. 

Nationals from Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are banned from entering the U.S. with B-1, B‑2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, unless they have a valid visa issued prior to January 1, 2026.

Nationals from additional countries may be added to the entry ban depending on negotiations between the U.S. and those countries. Watch this page for updates.

Social Media Screening

J-1/J-2 scholars and H-1B/H-4 employees are now subject to social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) screening as part of the visa vetting process. Applicants will be directed to set their social media privacy settings to “public” so a consular officer may review the content of the accounts. Failure to list a social media account or keeping portions of the account set to private could result in denial of the visa application.

Note: Visa applications may be initially “refused” under “INA 221(g)” to hold the application while social media screening and other security checks are being conducted.

Restrictions on Third Country Visa Appointments

On September 6, 2025 the Department of State announced severe restrictions on visa applications for “Third Country Nationals” (TCNs). This impacts people who plan to apply for a visa in a “third” country where they are not a citizen or legal permanent resident.

Due to this restriction, it is best if you apply for a visa in your home country where you are a citizen or a permanent resident. If your home country doesn't have regular U.S. visa services, you can apply at specially designated U.S. consulates in specific countries.

It might be possible to apply for a visa in a third country, but the wait time for a visa appointment might be much longer and the visa application could be rejected (with a fee refund). Check the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate where you plan to apply. They will tell you whether they will accept a TCN application and how to apply.

Reduced Validity of Some New Visas

In early July 2025, the Department of State made changes to the visa validity of many nonimmigrant visa types, including J-1 visas. The changes reduce the validity period of visas to 3 months, generally with a single entry.

These changes only impact NEW visas issued, so visas issued before the change remain valid for the duration and number of entries (M for multiple, or a specific number, if limited, shown under the header Entries on the visa) shown on the visa. To check the standard duration and number of entries for nationals of your country, review the visa reciprocity schedule, select your country of nationality, and then select the visa classification.

The duration of the visa issued will impact how long you may use it to enter the U.S., and the number of entries may impact your future travel plans. You will need to account for the duration in planning your visa application and scheduling your interview. If your country is limited to a single entry, this means that you will be required to get a new visa each time you leave the U.S. Remember that a valid visa is only required for entering the U.S.; once you are inside the country, the visa may expire without impacting your immigration status in the U.S..

Electronic Devices Search

Personal items including electronic devices (phone, tablets, laptops, etc.), their contents and links/apps to online services may be searched by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). We recommend that you review the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) information on travelers’ rights, Can Border Agents Search Your Electronic Devices?

Social Media Screening

You may be asked for your social media handles at any time by U.S. government authorities (Department of State when applying for your visa, Customs & Border Protection at the airport). Special attention may be given to any social media posts that appear political or against the current U.S. administration.

Additional Scrutiny at the Border

We expect that more international travelers will be taken into Secondary Inspections by border officials when re-entering the United States after the summer break. Please plan accordingly and give yourself plenty of time to make connecting flights if your first landing point in the United States is not Portland International Airport.

Customs Screening - Don’t Pack a Pest

Your luggage and personal items may be searched for items which are restricted or not allowed to enter the U.S. While packing for a trip, it is important to know what foods and medicines, as well as plant and animal items, are not allowed in the United States. We recommend you review Don’t Pack a Pest so you are aware of what you can and cannot carry with you.

Always Check Your I-94 After Entry!

After arriving back in Portland, you should always check your I-94 arrival record as soon as you can to be sure it is accurate. Go to https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/home and click on the “Get Most Recent I-94” tab. Enter your information and click “Continue”. Check that the information on your I-94 is correct. Download and print a copy of your I-94 for your records. If you cannot retrieve your I-94, or if there is an error, contact the ISSS office immediately.

Violations of federal, state and non-U.S. law can have a significant negative impact on your U.S. immigration status and ability to get a visa or enter the U.S. Any record of arrest, court proceedings, conviction (even if dismissed), or negative immigration actions can result in a visa application denial, visa revocation, or denial of entry to the U.S. If you have been arrested or charged, no matter how minor the offense, you should consult with immigration attorney before traveling abroad or filing any application for an immigration benefit (e.g. a work permit).

Legal consequences for illegal drug and alcohol use are especially strict. This includes driving under the influence of alcohol or while intoxicated (DUI/DWI), or any drug-related crime. (Remember, marijuana is federally illegal, even though it is “legal” in Oregon.)

All non-immigrants staying in the U.S. must keep their address up to date with USCIS. Any change of address must be reported within 10 days of a move. J-1 scholars and H-1B employees should be sure their address is current when traveling or applying for a visa.

J-1 Scholars - Address and contact information updates can be reported to the Office of International Student & Scholar Services by using the “Address & Contact Information Update” form in WorldLink. OISSS will forward the information via the SEVIS system.

H-1B Employees (and other employment statuses) - Address updates must be reported directly to USCIS with form AR-11. This can be quickly and easily done online if you have a USCIS account (recommended). You should also update your address with OISSS at jscholar@pdx.edu, and in your my.pdx.edu account.

In the current environment there is a growing number of attempts to target foreign nationals in immigration fraud and scams. These scams can be quick and simple or be complex and done over a period of time, but their common goal is to get personal information and/or money. By taking some simple steps and learning to recognize fraud you can reduce your risks of becoming a victim.

Phone, Text and Email Scams

In a common scam you may receive a phone call, text or email message from someone claiming to be from a government agency (DHS, ICE, USCIS, IRS, etc.). They may say there is a problem with your immigration status or records and request information or demand you pay a fee. These calls are almost always fraudulent.

• Don’t talk or reply. Government agencies will never contact you to ask for information or demand payments by phone, text or email. Do your own research with legitimate sources if you think there might be a real problem.
• Do not succumb to pressure or threats. The greatest weapon scammers have is fear. They may sometimes sound helpful, but become increasingly hostile and threatening if you do not cooperate with them. The best thing to do if you become fearful is to end the call/communication.
• Do not send money or payments. Government agencies will never ask for payment by phone, text or email. Requests for payment by gift cards, cryptocurrency, phone apps (e.g. Venmo), wire transfers or other non-banking methods is a scam.
• Do not provide personal information. Scammers may seem to know some things about you and ask to confirm or collect information such as your social security number, passport number, etc. Do not give any personal information unless you know for certain who you are talking to (see below).
• Do not believe caller ID information. Scammers can easily change caller IDs.
• Learn how to recognize legitimate government communications. There are legitimate situations when a government official may contact you, but always ask for verification and information about them first. A legitimate government official will always be able to give you their name, official identification and a working phone number or other contact information (which you should confirm independently).

Fake Web Sites

There are many immigration fraud websites which may look very real, but are designed to collect personal information and convince you to pay a fine or fee, or to sign up for a fraudulent service (for a fee). You may be sent links to the sites through texts, email or social media.

• Fake visa services. Some scam web sites claim to help with a visa application and “guarantee” approval or a very high success rate, but only collect your personal information and (large) service fees.
• Fake immigration benefits. Some scam web sites claim to help with getting immigration benefits such as work permits and employment, Diversity visa Lottery applications, visa waivers and other benefits.
• Fake government web pages. Learn to identify fake “official web sites”. Always search for the real web site if you have any doubts about the site you are looking at.

What to do if you think fraud has occurred

• Contact PSU Campus Safety and/or your local police department to report the fraud or scam, especially if you have already sent money or provided personal information.
• Contact the real government agency to report the scam.
• Contact OISSS to report the type of scam. We try to keep scholars and employees informed of any new developments in scams.

When traveling away from the Portland metropolitan area within the U.S., you should carry all of your immigration documents with you.

J-1 Scholars (and dependents):

• Valid passport
• DS-2019 with recent travel endorsement
• I-94

H-1B Employees (and dependents)

• Valid Passport
• Copy of H-1B approval notice (form I-797)
• I-94 (if U.S. entry has occurred after H-1B approval)