If you are from a country under a current travel ban, you are strongly advised to not travel outside the U.S., even if you may qualify for an exception to the travel restrictions. See our June 6, 2025 announcement for the most recent information about affected countries, and exceptions.

You must have a valid entry visa to enter the U.S. (with the exception of Canadian citizens). Do not travel if your visa is expired and you do not have sufficient time to apply for a new one. 

• First, read our Renewing Your Visa page for detailed information about current visa renewal procedures and timelines.
• Keep in mind that even if you have a previously issued visa, (almost) all applicants are required to go through a visa interview. This will create potentially much longer wait times for an appointment. In addition, your visa may be placed under administrative processing for different reasons, including enhanced vetting of your social media activity.
• You must also now apply for a visa in your country of citizenship or legal residence. Applying in a third country is no longer possible.

Visa Revocation

In rare circumstances, a student or scholar may receive an email from the U.S. consulate that issued their original visa, telling them that their visa was revoked. This means that the visa may no longer be used to re-enter the U.S. If you receive this type of communication, contact ISSS as soon as possible and before making any international travel plans. We will review the situation and may also advise you to consult an immigration attorney.

If you have prior or current interactions with U.S. law enforcement, and especially the criminal justice system, your travel risk may be significantly increased. Citations, arrests, or other interactions around certain types of issues - including marijuana / drug usage, domestic violence, alcohol-related infractions, sex-related offenses, theft or shoplifting - can generate serious immigration consequences, requiring the advice of an immigration attorney.

Social media activity is now under increased vetting and scrutiny by both consular visa officers as well as immigration inspection officer. Evidence of activity contrary to your visa (including unauthorized employment) or activity deemed “detrimental” to U.S. foreign policy interests may trigger further investigation and possible difficulties in entering the U.S. If you have concerns about your social media activity, talk to ISSS or an immigration attorney.

Along similar lines, searches of your electronic devices may occur, and can increase your travel risk if these searches uncover detrimental or unfavorable information such as unauthorized employment or other activity contrary to your visa. Read CBP's guidance on border searches of electronic devices. If traveling on University business, please also review information provided by Global Travel and OIT on traveling with technology.

Anyone who no longer holds valid immigration status for any reason generally are no longer eligible to remain in the U.S. Depending on the situation, they may be able to return at a future date, but any travel should only be undertaken after talking to ISSS and a qualified immigration attorney.

In particular, anyone who engages in unauthorized employment is at greater risk of refused entry, and should discuss their situation with an immigration attorney.

The U.S. has designated several countries under different classifications of concern.

• In general, travel to a country designated as a state sponsor of terrorism is not recommended without prior consultation ISSS and an immigration attorney. Current countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism (as of October 2025) are Cuba, North Korea, Iran and Syria.
• In addition to state sponsors of terrorism, the U.S. has designated other countries as “countries of particular concern” as well as “special watch list” countries. You can review the current list on the State Department's countries of concern web page. Unless the country has been included in a travel ban and/or has been designated as a state sponsor of terrorism, travel to and from these countries is not prohibited. However, travel may raise the risk of additional scrutiny upon arrival in the U.S.