Nonimmigrant Workers Warned To Avoid Travel Amid New U.S. Rules

2 min read

12/17/2025

In a rapidly shifting policy landscape, travel has become riskier for H‑1B, L‑1 and dependent visa holders, prompting some immigration lawyers to urge clients to avoid nonessential trips that could lead to prolonged consular delays.

Nonimmigrant workers warned to avoid travel amid new US rules

What Changed?

On December 12, 2025, the State Department updated its instructions for nonimmigrant visa applicants: interviews must now be scheduled in the applicant’s country of nationality or residence, with limited exceptions and a list of designated posts where routine services are unavailable. Existing appointments will generally not be canceled, but fees are nonrefundable, and applicants may face longer waits if they try to interview outside their home or residence country.

Separately, a September 19, 2025, presidential proclamation tightened entry rules for new H‑1B cases by requiring a $100,000 payment for new H‑1B petitions filed on or after September 21, 2025. The proclamation states that previously issued visas are not revoked by this action. Existing visas are not revoked under these proclamations, though travelers should verify their specific situation before departing.

Adding to the uncertainty, the administration, on December 16, 2025, expanded country-specific travel restrictions that can suspend entry and visa issuance for certain nationalities. Some individual embassies and consulates have also paused or limited services in recent months, creating localized bottlenecks.

Why This Matters Now

For many nonimmigrant workers and their families, reentry to the United States depends on obtaining a fresh visa stamp after international travel. With third‑country appointments now sharply limited, travelers often must return to their home country for interviews—where wait times can stretch for weeks or months. New security‑driven restrictions, post‑specific pauses, and evolving H‑1B rules further increase the odds of being stranded abroad, separated from jobs and families.

The risk is highest for anyone whose visa foil has expired, who recently changed employers (and needs a new stamp), or whose nationality falls under new screening or entry restrictions. Even when travelers ultimately qualify, administrative processing or rescheduled interviews can delay a return far beyond what employers and families expect.

What Travelers Should Do

Consider postponing nonessential trips until appointment backlogs and policies stabilize. If travel is unavoidable, confirm that your visa stamp will still be valid on return, check official wait times and designated posts for your nationality and residence, and review whether any country‑based restrictions apply to you. Coordinate closely with your employer and, where appropriate, consult qualified immigration counsel before departing. A few extra checks now can prevent a lengthy, unexpected stay abroad.