CURRENT TRAVEL ISSUES
(Last Update: September 18, 2025)
U.S. Visa Applications
Changes to visa appointments in a third country
The Department of State announced severe restrictions on visa applications for “Third-Country Nationals” (TCNs) on September 6, 2025. This impacts people who plan to apply for a visa in a country where they don’t permanently live and are not a citizen.
Where to apply for your visa
The best options are to apply:
- In your home country (where you are a citizen) OR
- In a country where you have permanent residence (permanent legal status to live there)
If your home country doesn't have regular U.S. visa services, you can apply at specially designated U.S. consulates in specific countries.
What this means for you
- It will be harder to get a visa if you apply in a country where you don't live permanently
- You may wait much longer for an appointment in these cases
- Remember: You cannot get your application fee back, even if your visa is denied
Important warnings:
- If you plan to travel and might need to renew your visa while traveling, check first if you can apply in that country
- Even if you get an interview, your visa might still be rejected
- You might have to return to your home country to apply again
What to do
Check the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate where you plan to apply. They will tell you exactly what documents you need and how to apply.
Reduced Validity for 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 F 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. (see “Travel with an Expired Visa” below for exceptions to this requirement). Remember that your F-1 visa only required for entering the U.S.; once you are inside the country, your F-1 visa may expire without impact to your F-1 status.
Social Media Screening
The Department of State has recently announced procedures to resume issuing visas with additional social media screening. The initial application steps will remain the same:
- Fill out and submit Form DS-160, the online nonimmigrant visa application form.
- Pay the nonrefundable machine-readable visa (MRV) application fee.
- Schedule your visa interview through the online portal.
If the consular officer deems you otherwise eligible for a visa (meaning that you meet all the basic requirements), your application will be initially "refused" under INA 221(g). This stops the application process so the officer can conduct additional administrative review.
You will be asked to set your social media profiles to 'public' so the consular officer may review the content of your social media profiles. Upon completing their review, the officer will either approve or deny your application, which will be reflected in the online visa status system.
Travel Ban for Certain Countries
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 Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, 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.
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.
Issues at the Border (Customs and Border Protection, CBP)
Phone Scrutiny:
Can Border Agents Search Your Electronic Devices? The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) offers information on travelers' rights. Yes, your personal items may be searched when you re-enter the U.S. This includes your electronic devices (phone, tablet, laptop). These devices all give border officials access to your social media accounts and online activity.
Social Media Presence (Linkedin, Instagram, Facebook, etc):
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.
Previous Encounters with the Law:
Customs & Border Protection (CBP) may prevent you from entering the U.S. if they have reason to believe that you have violated U.S. laws. If you have had encounters with any form of law enforcement in the U.S. we encourage you to meet with the immigration attorney before you leave the U.S.
Other Important Considerations:
Potential for visa revocations:
There have been unprecedented actions by the current administration. Student visas have been revoked and SEVIS records have been terminated across the U.S. (To date, no scholar visas have been revoked.) If this happens to your record while you are traveling, you will be unable to return to the US.
Some reasons for this might be:
- Interactions with U.S. law enforcement (police or immigration)
- Violation of U.S. laws
- Political statements, and or participation in political protest activity
Visa renewal considerations:
If you need to renew your visa before re-entering the United States, please be aware that you may face significant delays in visa issuance due to the cuts in federal funding and changes in regulations
Domestic Travel and REAL ID:
International scholars who travel within the U.S. will not need to get a REAL ID to travel after May 7, 2025. Your passports are acceptable forms of government issued identification. If you decide to get a REAL ID, it will only be issued for the same duration as your U.S. visa.
Other Considerations:
Don’t Pack a Pest :
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.
Visa Consequences for Drug and Alcohol Use:
- The legal drinking age in the United States is 21 years
- Marijuana is still federally illegal for international students to buy, possess, or use.
- Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol and driving while intoxicated (DWI) can be detrimental to your immigration status.
- Visa Consequences for Drug and Alcohol Use Resources
Scams:
Be aware that there are many scams happening right now preying on international scholar’s anxiety. Government agencies will never ask you to pay money or disclose your personal information over an email or phone call. Do not give your credit card information or any personal information before checking with the PSU Office of International Student and Scholar Services.