As we approach the holiday season it’s time to get ready if you plan on traveling abroad. Over the last year there have been many changes to rules when traveling as a foreigner. There are now more countries that you can’t travel to, visa appointments are taking longer, waits at the border have increased and you will need to plan for your next trip.
Here is a list of things you should check before you book your trip. Depending on your situation, country of origin and if you have any pending applications you will need to follow the information below.
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Collect Your Papers Before You Leave
The most common cause of travel complications is missing paperwork. Before you go abroad, make sure you have the following:
- A passport that is valid for the duration of your trip and ideally at least six months beyond your intended return date.
- A valid U.S. visa in the correct category (see below).
- Your most recent I-797 approval notice if you are maintaining status based on a petition such as H-1B, L-1, or O-1.
- If you are employed in the U.S., a recent employment verification letter and your last few pay stubs.
- F-1 student: Your I-20 with a recent travel signature by your Designated School Official.
- If you have a green card or an advance parole document.
Please download your latest I-94 record from the CBP website before you go. CBP makes this record electronically when you arrive and updates your departure with airline data. Checking your I-94 before and after your trip makes sure your class of admission and “admit until” date are correct. If you screw up when you return, it’s easier to fix it then and there.
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Look at Your Visa Before You Book
Your visa is the foil that a U.S. consulate puts into your passport. This is separate from your status in the U.S., which is important when you are traveling. In-country, you can be in valid status with an expired visa, but generally you need an unexpired visa in the proper category for re-entry.
Check 3 things:
- Date of Expiration:
- Your visa must still be valid on the day you return.
- Category:
- Know what kind of visa you have at present. An old F-1 visa won’t get you back in as an H-1B worker.
- Articles:
- If your visa is for a limited number of entries, make sure you have an entry remaining.
If you do not meet any of these requirements, you will need a new visa from a U.S. consulate abroad before returning. In this case, the airline stops most people before they board the plane.
Short trips to Canada or Mexico: After a visit of 30 days or less to Canada or Mexico, you may be allowed to reenter on an expired visa through a process called automatic visa re-validation (F and J holders can also visit certain adjacent islands). You need to be in status and have an unexpired I-94. This rule does not apply if you applied for a new visa during your trip and were denied, or if you are a national of a country designated as a state sponsor of terrorism (currently Cuba, Iran, and North Korea).
Canadian citizens do not need a visa for most nonimmigrant classifications, including TN, H-1B, and L-1. E (Treaty Trader or Investor), K (Fiancé(e)), and V visas are exceptions.
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Do you have something Pending? Talk to your Lawyer First
A pending application can be at risk if you travel at the wrong time. The risk depends on what kind of application you filed.
- I-485 (Pending Green Card):
- If you leave the U.S. without advance parole, you are usually abandoning your application for adjustment of status. Usually, H-1B and L-1 holders (and their H-4 and L-2 family members) can travel and return in that status without abandoning it, if their visa and status are valid.
- Change of status pending (Form I-539 or Form I-129):
- If you applied to USCIS to change from one status to another, like from F-1 to H-1B or from H-4 to F-1, leaving the U.S. typically abandons that application. Seeking an extension with the same employer. H-1B or L-1 extensions with your current employer should generally survive a trip abroad, but you still need a valid visa to return.
These rules have exceptions, and mistakes can be serious. If you have pending applications, consult with your attorney before booking travel.
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See If the Travel Ban Applies to You
Since January 1, 2026, the U.S. has suspended or restricted entry for nationals of 39 countries and travelers with Palestinian Authority documents. Suspension is in full for 19 countries. The rest will have a partial suspension, blocking B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F, M, and J student and exchange visas, and immigrant visas.
Visas issued before the ban took effect are not invalidated, and green card holders are exempt. The biggest risk is for travelers whose visas expire while they are abroad. If you have a visa that is about to expire and you are from an affected country, traveling could impact your ability to get a new visa and return. Pending USCIS applications for nationals of travel-banned countries may also be subject to hold and further review.
Separately, in January 2026, the State Department suspended immigrant visa issuance to nationals of 75 countries. If you or a family member are waiting on an immigrant visa interview abroad, check the status of that pause before planning around it.
Country lists are subject to change without notice. Check your country’s status just before your travel date.
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Plan for Visa Appointment Delays
If you are abroad and need a new visa stamp, don’t expect it to be fast. Most applicants now must interview in person, usually in their country of nationality or residence. Consulates have tightened screening, including reviewing online presence for some categories. In some countries, appointments have been delayed for weeks or months.
Book your appointment early, be flexible with your return date, and arrange for your employer to let you work remotely if there are delays.
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H-1B Workers: The $100,000 Fee Doesn’t Apply to You Upon Return
Recently extended to September 2027, the $100,000 H-1B payment requirement applies to certain new H-1B petitions. Government guidance has said it does not apply to those who already have H-1B status or visas. If you are a current H-1B worker with a valid visa, you may travel and return as normal.
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Green Card Holders: Mind How Long You’re Gone
Permanent residents are exempt from the travel ban, but long absences are risky. If you are going to be absent for a year or more, you will generally need to obtain a reentry permit before you leave. Trips longer than six months might raise questions of abandonment of residence. Long trips can also affect your eligibility for citizenship. Always carry your green card with you and be ready to show proof of your U.S. connections (such as employment, residence, tax returns).
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More Intense Questioning at the Border
No matter your status, you should expect more intense questioning from Customs and Bord Protection (CBP) officers when you return. You could be sent for a secondary inspection, asked about your work or study, or asked to unlock your phone or other devices. You may face delays or be refused entry due to missing documents or visa issues. Answer questions truthfully, have your papers ready, and stay calm.
Talk to us before you leave.
A little planning can save weeks of delay overseas. If you have a pending application, a visa that is about to expire, or are from a country that is subject to restrictions, get advice before you book travel.
ILBSG closely follows U.S. immigration developments and can review your documents and travel plans. Have questions about traveling abroad this holiday season? Call us. This article is for general information purposes only and is not legal advice. Immigration rules are constantly changing. Before you travel, consult an attorney to ensure your situation.
As always, ILBSG actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws. In an ever-evolving immigration policy landscape, you must get the right advice.