Important Updates
Important Updates
July 25, 2025 | ThailandThailand: Digital Arrival Card System Replaces Electronic Travel Authorization System
July 25, 2025 | BulgariaBulgaria: Mandatory New Health Insurance Requirement for Single Work and Residence Permit Holders
July 25, 2025 | PolandPoland: New Rule Requires Submission of Employment Contracts Online
July 25, 2025 | Slovak RepublicSlovakia: Mandatory Online Submission for Some Processes
July 25, 2025 | SpainSpain: Certain Work Permits Can Now Be Issued for Less Than 90 Days
July 25, 2025 | ThailandThailand: Digital Arrival Card System Replaces Electronic Travel Authorization System
July 25, 2025 | BulgariaBulgaria: Mandatory New Health Insurance Requirement for Single Work and Residence Permit Holders
July 25, 2025 | PolandPoland: New Rule Requires Submission of Employment Contracts Online
July 25, 2025 | Slovak RepublicSlovakia: Mandatory Online Submission for Some Processes
July 25, 2025 | SpainSpain: Certain Work Permits Can Now Be Issued for Less Than 90 Days
July 25, 2025 | ThailandThailand: Digital Arrival Card System Replaces Electronic Travel Authorization System
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

Summer Travel Planning for Foreign Nationals

May 2, 2019

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

At a glance

  • If you are a foreign national planning to travel internationally this summer, make sure that you have all the necessary documents, including a passport with sufficient remaining validity, a valid U.S. visa in the appropriate classification, and advance permission to travel if necessary.
  • If you will need to apply for a visa while you are abroad, be prepared for possible delays in visa issuance.
  • On reentry to the United States, expect thorough screening at the port of entry.

A closer look

If you are a foreign national planning to travel abroad this summer, now is the time to make sure you have the immigration documents and instructions you need to depart and reenter the United States. Understanding your immigration obligations can help minimize travel delays.

WHAT INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS SHOULD DO NOW

Before you travel abroad this summer, make sure to do the following:

Check your passport validity. In general, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the expiration of your period of admission to the United States. This is to ensure that you will be able to leave the United States at the end of your stay and proceed to your home country or another country. There are some exceptions to this rule. Many countries have an agreement with the United States under which a passport is deemed valid for an additional six months past its expiration date so that the passport holder can return to his or her country of citizenship.

If you have questions about whether your passport is valid for reentry, contact your designated Fragomen professional or click here for more information.

Check your visa to make sure it is valid for reentry to the United States. When you come back to the United States after international travel, the visa stamp in your passport must reflect your current nonimmigrant visa status, it must be unexpired, and, if the visa has a limited number of entries, it must have a remaining valid entry available on the intended date of reentry to the United States. Canadian citizens are not generally required to have a valid visa to enter the United States, unless they are E-1 or E-2 nonimmigrants.

Under certain circumstances, if you are making a short trip of 30 days or less to Canada or Mexico and have a valid I-94 arrival record, you can reenter on a previously issued visa even if it has expired. But if you have applied for a new visa while in Canada or Mexico or if you are a citizen or national of Iran, North Korea, Sudan or Syria, you must wait to obtain the new visa in order to reenter the United States.

For additional information on visa requirements, click here.

If you are an adjustment applicant, find out whether you need advance permission to travel before you leave the United States. If you are an applicant for adjustment of status to permanent residence, you may be required to obtain advance permission to travel - known as advance parole - in order to leave the United States while your adjustment application is pending.

If you already have a valid H-1B, H-4, L-1A, L-1B or L-2 visa, you may reenter the United States on that visa, without the need for advance parole. But family members in H-4 and L-2 status who have worked in the United States pursuant to an employment authorization document (EAD) issued in connection with their adjustment of status application should be cautious when traveling, and are advised to obtain advance parole before leaving the country.

If your application for advance parole is pending, you should contact your Fragomen professional prior to any international travel to determine the impact of travel on all pending applications and your underlying nonimmigrant status.

Is a change or extension of your status pending with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services? Traveling abroad while an application to extend your nonimmigrant status is pending should not jeopardize your application. But if you have a pending application to change status to another nonimmigrant category, you should avoid international travel until it is adjudicated. USCIS will consider the change of status request to be abandoned if you depart the United States while it is pending. Though the underlying nonimmigrant petition could still be approved, you would need to depart the United States, apply for and obtain a new visa, and reenter to take up the new status.

If you're planning business or tourist travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, make sure you comply with program requirements.The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens and nationals of designated countries to enter the United States for up to 90 days of business or tourist travel without a visa, provided that they meet specific registration and passport requirements. If you're planning to travel under the VWP, you will need to have a valid registration in the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) at least 72 hours before your departure for the United States. Find out more about VWP passport and ESTA requirements here.

If you are a Chinese national traveling on a 10-year visitor visa, make sure you are enrolled in the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS). If you are not enrolled, make sure to do so at least 72 hours before travel. Failure to enroll could result in a provisional revocation of your visa and delays in your travel plans. Find out more about EVUS enrollment here.

If you are a national of Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela or Yemen, be aware that the Trump Administration has imposed restrictions on certain types of travel following the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the travel ban.  Before departing the United States, you should be aware of the restrictions and their potential impact on your travel.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT U.S. CONSULATES AND PORTS OF ENTRY

Plan for the possibility of visa issuance delays at U.S. consulates. During the holiday travel season, U.S. consulates overseas are busier than ever and may have reduced hours. If you will apply for a new visa while abroad, check the relevant consulate or embassy for specific information about appointments, application procedures and processing times. Detailed information about visa application procedures is available here.

Plan for possible security clearance delays during the visa application process. If you will apply for a new visa before returning to the United States, be prepared for lengthy wait times and the possibility that your application will be flagged for enhanced security checks. The U.S. consulate may require your visa application to undergo additional security screening based on your country of nationality, whether your name is similar to an individual listed in a U.S. government security database, or whether your job or degree is in a high-technology field, among other reasons. Though security checks are a regular part of the application process, directives from the Trump Administration require the State Department and other agencies to implement more stringent vetting of applicants.

If a security clearance is required, your visa cannot be issued until the clearance has been completed. Because this process is confidential, the consulate will not confirm that a clearance is underway but may indicate that "administrative processing" is required. Security clearances can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks or more. In general, the government will not expedite a security clearance.

At the U.S. port of entry, be prepared for enhanced security screening procedures. When you return to the United States, you will need to go through the Biometric Data Collection System, a check-in process where your fingerprints, photograph and travel documents are scanned against U.S. national security and police databases. You may also be subject to intensive questioning about your immigration status, travel history, the purpose of your visit, background, employment and other issues. This could include a search of your electronic devices.

It is important to remain patient during the inspection process. Before you travel, check your employer’s procedures for dealing with searches of company-owned phones, laptops and other devices. During inspection, answer questions to the best of your ability. If you don't understand a question, ask for clarification. If you are detained at the port of entry, you are generally not entitled to have a lawyer present, but you should ask for permission to call Fragomen offices if the need arises. You should explain that contacting Fragomen will allow us in turn to contact your employer if further information is required. For more information about border procedures, click here.

Obtain your Form I-94 arrival record. Once you have been cleared by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at an air or sea port of entry, your passport will be stamped to show the date and class of admission, and the expiration date of your authorized stay. Your immigration information and duration of stay will also be entered into CBP's online I-94 arrival record system. The expiration date on the passport stamp and the I-94 record marks the expiration of your eligibility to remain in valid legal status in the United States. Overstaying this date can have serious consequences.

After your arrival in the United States, you must obtain a printout of your online I-94 here. You should send a copy to your Fragomen professional and retain one for your records. Notify your Fragomen professional as soon as possible if you note any errors in your I-94 record.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

On our firm's website, you will find detailed information on international travel and immigration obligations. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any specific questions about your travel plans, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.

 

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Toronto Star: Ford and Other Premiers Want Provincial Work Permits for Refugee Claimants. It May Not Solve Anything

Partner Rick Lamanna discusses the potential option of decentralizing work permit issuance in Canada, emphasizing the need for clear coordination between the provincial and federal governments.

Learn more
Generic Insights

Video

Transfer Tactics & Talent Pipelines – The UK Angle with Alex Hood ⚽ | #FragomenFC - Ep. 10

Fragomen FC hosts are joined by Manager Alexander Hood to examine how immigration rules are reshaping global football, from EPL transfers to the rise of international transfers into the Women’s Super League.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: More Declines Loom in “Seriously Concerning” US Visa Trends

Partner Aaron Blumberg noted that enhanced screening measures, including social media vetting, may be contributing to delays in US student visa processing.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Immigration Reforms: What’s Next for Construction Employers?

Associate Ilaria Iovieno outlines how recent UK immigration reforms will impact construction employers and their ability to sponsor overseas talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

Grand Designs Magazine: How to Buy Your Dream Home Overseas

Director Isobel Neilson discusses how changes to golden visa programmes are affecting UK buyers pursuing overseas property investment.

Learn more

Media mentions

TechInformed: Global Talent, Local Growth: Immigration’s Role in the Tech Economy

Senior Associate Tayyaba Karim and Associates Aisha Shahid and Yinny Tan outline how UK immigration changes affect tech talent access and business alignment.

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: Hoping to Visit the U.S.? It Might Cost You an Extra $250.

Partner Parisa Karaahmet is quoted on a new country-specific, $250 "visa integrity fee" introduced by the current US administration as part of a domestic policy bill.

Learn more

Media mentions

New Civil Engineer: The immigration white paper and the government’s Industrial Strategy – how do they compare?

Paralegal Sean Pearce discusses the UK government's immigration White Paper in the context of its Industrial Strategy, noting the importance of overseas talent in meeting infrastructure and housing goals.

Learn more

Video

Update on U.S. Tariffs | #MobilityMinute

In this Mobility Minute, Partner Christian Dallman shares an update on US tariffs as the August 1 deadline for trade negotiations approaches.

Learn more

Media mentions

Saudi Gazette: Saudi Arabia’s Skill-Based Work Permit System Reshapes Expat Employment Landscape

Partner Haider Hussain discussed how Saudi Arabia’s new skill-based work permit system is reshaping employer compliance and recruitment strategies.

Learn more

Podcast

Visa Policy Changes in Nigeria

Director Caroline Kanzara-Obinwa and Manager Tarissa Wareley are joined by Bloomfield Law Practice's Kunle Obebe and Peace Lotechukwu to discuss Nigeria's 2025 visa policy reforms.

Learn more

Media mentions

Windpower Monthly: Wind Industry’s Chronic Skills Shortage Exacerbated by Tough Immigration Rules

Associate Yinny Tan outlines how proposed UK immigration changes may affect workforce planning and talent access in the wind industry.

Learn more

Media mentions

Toronto Star: Ford and Other Premiers Want Provincial Work Permits for Refugee Claimants. It May Not Solve Anything

Partner Rick Lamanna discusses the potential option of decentralizing work permit issuance in Canada, emphasizing the need for clear coordination between the provincial and federal governments.

Learn more
Generic Insights

Video

Transfer Tactics & Talent Pipelines – The UK Angle with Alex Hood ⚽ | #FragomenFC - Ep. 10

Fragomen FC hosts are joined by Manager Alexander Hood to examine how immigration rules are reshaping global football, from EPL transfers to the rise of international transfers into the Women’s Super League.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: More Declines Loom in “Seriously Concerning” US Visa Trends

Partner Aaron Blumberg noted that enhanced screening measures, including social media vetting, may be contributing to delays in US student visa processing.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Immigration Reforms: What’s Next for Construction Employers?

Associate Ilaria Iovieno outlines how recent UK immigration reforms will impact construction employers and their ability to sponsor overseas talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

Grand Designs Magazine: How to Buy Your Dream Home Overseas

Director Isobel Neilson discusses how changes to golden visa programmes are affecting UK buyers pursuing overseas property investment.

Learn more

Media mentions

TechInformed: Global Talent, Local Growth: Immigration’s Role in the Tech Economy

Senior Associate Tayyaba Karim and Associates Aisha Shahid and Yinny Tan outline how UK immigration changes affect tech talent access and business alignment.

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: Hoping to Visit the U.S.? It Might Cost You an Extra $250.

Partner Parisa Karaahmet is quoted on a new country-specific, $250 "visa integrity fee" introduced by the current US administration as part of a domestic policy bill.

Learn more

Media mentions

New Civil Engineer: The immigration white paper and the government’s Industrial Strategy – how do they compare?

Paralegal Sean Pearce discusses the UK government's immigration White Paper in the context of its Industrial Strategy, noting the importance of overseas talent in meeting infrastructure and housing goals.

Learn more

Video

Update on U.S. Tariffs | #MobilityMinute

In this Mobility Minute, Partner Christian Dallman shares an update on US tariffs as the August 1 deadline for trade negotiations approaches.

Learn more

Media mentions

Saudi Gazette: Saudi Arabia’s Skill-Based Work Permit System Reshapes Expat Employment Landscape

Partner Haider Hussain discussed how Saudi Arabia’s new skill-based work permit system is reshaping employer compliance and recruitment strategies.

Learn more

Podcast

Visa Policy Changes in Nigeria

Director Caroline Kanzara-Obinwa and Manager Tarissa Wareley are joined by Bloomfield Law Practice's Kunle Obebe and Peace Lotechukwu to discuss Nigeria's 2025 visa policy reforms.

Learn more

Media mentions

Windpower Monthly: Wind Industry’s Chronic Skills Shortage Exacerbated by Tough Immigration Rules

Associate Yinny Tan outlines how proposed UK immigration changes may affect workforce planning and talent access in the wind industry.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.