General International Travel Advisory

If you are not a U.S. citizen, travel outside the United States entails some chance that you will not be allowed to re-enter. This chance is quite small for permanent residents and, keeping in mind that about 100,000 foreign nationals enter the U.S. legally every day, the chance is small for temporary visa holders. However, these risks have been heightened by the actions of the current Administration and incidents of detention upon entry (especially at land borders) have been reported in media accounts. The situation is developing and can change at any time. This advisory provides general information to help you decide whether to travel internationally and how to minimize risks if you do. It is not individual legal advice. After reading this information, schedule a call with your Dentons attorney regarding risks specific to your situation.

UPDATE: TRAVEL BAN

June 2025 Entry Ban for 12 Countries and Entry Restrictions for 7 Countries

Effective Monday, June 9, 2025, nationals of the following countries are banned from entering the United States unless excepted (see exceptions below): Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guines, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

Additionally, entry on an immigrant visa or on a B-1/B-2 (tourist), F (student), M (vocational student), and J (exchange visitor) visa is prohibited for the following countries: Burundi, Cuba, Lao, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. Other visa types may be issued to nationals of these countries, but the validity may be reduced.

Applicability
The ban applies only to those who are (1) outside the U.S. on June 9, 2025, at 12:01 am and (2) do not have a valid visa on that date.  In other words, persons with a valid visa on or before June 9, 2025, at 12:01 am may enter the U.S. even if they are nationals of banned or restricted countries.

Exceptions
The bans and restrictions do not apply to:

• Lawful permanent residents (i.e., those with a “green card”);
• Dual nationals (i.e., those who have citizenship in a country that is not on the list);
• A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1, NATO‑2, NATO-3, NATO-4, NATO-5, or NATO-6 visa holders (i.e., diplomats);
• Athletes or members of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event as determined by the U.S. Secretary of State;
• Immediate family members immigrating as (1) spouses of U.S. citizens, (2) minor children (under 21 years of age) of U.S. citizens, and (3) parents of U.S. citizens who are over 21 years of age.
• Children being adopted;
• Afghan Special Immigrant Visas;
• Special Immigrant Visas for U.S. government employees;
• Ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran (immigrant visas only).
• Those whose travel would advance a critical U.S. national interest involving the Department of Justice, including when individuals must be present to participate in criminal proceedings as witnesses, as determined by the U.S. Attorney General in her discretion;
• Those whose travel would serve a United States national interest as determined by the U.S. Secretary of State in his discretion;
• Those who (1) have been granted asylum by the United States, (2) who have already been admitted as refugees to the United States, and (3) have been granted withholding of removal or protection under the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment of Punishment (CAT). 

Continued Ability to Claim Asylum
The ban does not limit the ability of an individual to seek asylum, refugee status, withholding of removal, or protection under the CAT, consistent with the laws of the United States.

UPDATE: STUDENT VISA PAUSE/REVOCATIONS

In May 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced that new appointments for F, J and M visas would be paused to implement new vetting procedures. We have little guidance or detail on this situation.  Existing appointments are supposed be honored. Unless an applicant is from a banned or restricted country, these visas may be approved.

It also announced that they would “aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields” and would “revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong.”

ASSESSING YOUR RISKS

General Advice: Delay International Travel if Possible

Given the uncertainty of the current situation, we recommend that you avoid unnecessary international travel. If you choose to travel, realize that risks exist and take the precautions outlined in this advisory.

Prior Travel Record to High-Risk Countries: Do NOT Leave the U.S.

If you have traveled to any of the following high-risk countries in the last 5 years, you should not travel: Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan. The government may change this list at any time without prior notice.

Criminal History

If you have been charged or convicted of a crime at any point in any country, even if you received a deferred judgment or expungement, please contact your Dentons immigration attorney before scheduling international travel.

Temporary Visas:

• If you do not have a valid, unexpired visa stamped in your passport that matches your current immigration status, you will need to apply for one unless your travel is to Canada or Mexico for less than 30 days (i.e., “automatic visa revalidation). Please contact your Dentons immigration attorney if you plan to use automatic visa revalidation for entry.
• Visa appointments may be difficult to obtain.  Do not travel without a visa appointment scheduled if possible.
• Visa appointments may be cancelled.
• A visa application may be denied. While rare when USCIS has approved a petition or application on your behalf, denials by the U.S. consulate are possible. Please note that as of April 9, 2025, social media screening will be conducted for foreign students and those affiliated with educational institutions for antisemitic activity and physical harassment of Jews.  
• Expect longer waits for the return of an approved visa in your passport. Schedule your appointment and return travel accordingly.
• If your passport expires before your current approval (as shown on the I-797A or your I-94), you should consider extending your passport before re-entry to the U.S. Your stay will be shortened to your passport expiration upon entry if that date is sooner than the I-797 validity date.
• You will need valid, current proof that the facts underlying your current approval notice have not changed (letter from an employer, paystubs or similar documents). If an application for a change of status, job or employer is pending, please consult your Dentons immigration attorney about entry documentation and the effect of international travel.

Potential Additional Travel Bans

A list of countries for a planned travel ban was leaked to the New York Times in March 2025. The countries identified for travel ban that were not included in the June 2025 ban are Bhutan, North Korea, and Syria. Several other countries were indicated for potential travel bans or restrictions on visas as well.

Additionally, on April 5, 2025, all visas issued to people from South Sudan were revoked and the Department of State announced that no new visas would be issued. 

Clearly, we have no way to know if a travel ban or visa ban may be issued, and no notice may be given if it is. 

Inspection:

• Entry through an airport or land border involves inspection by U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP).
• Inspection at preclearance locations provides more protections than inspections at a land border and airport clearance on U.S. soil. Choose to enter at a preclearance location if possible.
• CBP receives the passenger manifest prior to landing and checks each person for admissibility concerns. As of April 9, 2025, this may include review of social media for foreign students and those affiliated with educational institutions for antisemitic activity and physical harassment of Jews.
• CBP checks documentation, including visas and approval notices (I-797s) in the primary inspection process.
• If concerns are noted, you may be taken for secondary inspection. During this process, you will be questioned, and your electronic devices and personal belongings may be inspected. Note that this process may take time. Schedule connecting flights accordingly.
• Typically, you are not allowed to call anyone during primary or secondary inspections.
• You do not have the right to counsel during CBP inspection.  However, some offices will speak with attorneys in certain situations. 

Social Media Accounts (Facebook, Instagram, etc.):

Generally, CBP inspection should involve only information that is physically on your electronic device. However, as of April 9, 2025, review of social media for foreign students and those affiliated with educational institutions will be conducted for antisemitic activity and physical harassment of Jews. Contact your Dentons immigration attorney if you are concerned about social media postings (including “likes”). 

MINIMIZING RISKS IF YOU MUST TRAVEL

Immigration Documents: Keep them safe and with you!

Documents for international travel for temporary (nonimmigrant) entries include: 

• Valid passport containing valid visa (if applicable);
• Bar code page for any visa appointment scheduled;
• I-797 approval notice, if applicable;
• Letter from your employer documenting current employment;
• Recent paystubs;
• A copy of your petition is not required but could be useful for your review of facts and critical information.

Documents for international travel for immigrant (“green card”) entries include: 

• Valid passport;
• Valid immigration visa (for first entry), “green card,” valid I-551 passport stamp or receipt for filing a Form I-751 for conditional residents that is valid for entry;
• Reentry permit if your stay outside the United States has lasted for more than one continuous year.
• Proof of continued ties to the United States if your stay outside the United States has lasted for more than six continuous months.

Make sure you have all the necessary documentation when traveling. Contact your Dentons immigration attorney if you have questions about documentation for travel.    

Best Practices During Visa Applications and Inspection

• Tell the truth, but do not volunteer information if you are not asked.
• Be polite and courteous.
• Know the contents of the petition or application and be able to answer questions.
• Consider the information on your electronic devices. 
• Consider the CBP search process outlined below. Consider your social media posts, including “likes.” 

Inspection: Know Your Rights

Two types of searches may be conducted by CBP: 

• A basic search: This generally involves an officer reviewing the contents of the device manually without the assistance of any external equipment.  You should set your devices to “airplane mode” so that only information physically on your phone can be reviewed. CBP also may search your personal belongings, including your luggage.
• An advanced search: An officer connects external equipment to access an electronic device, as well as to review, copy, and/or analyze its contents. CBP must have a reasonable suspicion of a violation of law or a national security concern and pre-approval of a senior manager before conducting an advanced search. 

CBP may access personal, confidential and sensitive data. If you refuse to provide access, your device may be seized. Visa holders (or Canadians who do not require visas) may be denied entry if they refuse to provide access. At preclearance locations, this may result in boarding being denied. Lawful permanent residents should not be denied entry for this reason but may face additional scrutiny. 

If you have private information that should not be released (such as medical records or secure information from your job), let the officer know that the information is private and request it be treated as such.  The best way to protect confidential or sensitive information is not to enter with it. Applications with confidential or sensitive information may be deleted from your phone prior to inspection. We do not advise carrying “burner phones” as they may be associated with criminal activity and raise suspicion. 

Do Not Abandon Your Permanent Residence (“Green Card”)

In some instances, CBP may ask a returning permanent resident to sign a Form I-407 to relinquish permanent residence, especially those who have been outside the U.S. for an extended time. You should not sign this form unless you no longer want to be a U.S. permanent resident. Refusing to sign will not keep you from being admitted to the U.S. 

If you are a “conditional resident” (i.e., you were issued a two-year green card based on marriage to a U.S. citizen) and you are traveling with a receipt for the 10-year green card extension, be sure the receipt will be valid when you return. Contact your Dentons immigration attorney if an extension of the receipt is needed. You should not sign Form I-407 upon entry unless you no longer want to be a U.S. permanent resident. 

If you are referred for “deferred inspection” at an internal CBP office, please contact your Dentons immigration attorney. 

AFTER ENTRY 

Print and Check New I-94 Upon Re-entry: 

After admission to the U.S., print the I-94 by downloading it at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home.   

• Keep the I-94 with you to prove your legal entry.
• Check the expiration date: If the I-94 validity is shorter than that on the I-797 approval notice, please let your Dentons immigration attorney know immediately. The most current I-94 controls your stay in the United States.

MORE QUESTIONS?  Schedule a call with your Dentons immigration attorney.