As peak holiday travel season approaches, international travelers should review their travel documents and take steps in advance of international travel to avoid or minimize travel or immigration issues. 

Tips for All Travelers 

1. Make sure that you have a passport and visa or other valid travel document that will be valid for use on both your departure and return dates.

• Travelers should renew their passports as early as possible to avoid any disruptions to their international travel plans. Check the entry and exit requirements (such as a visa) for the country you are visiting before your travel.  
• Nonimmigrant visa holders returning to the United States may be admitted for the shorter duration of either their valid passport or visa petition approval notice.  
• Many countries require that passports, to be valid for entry, must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay. Travelers should verify passport validity and other document requirements for their destination well before departure. 
• New in 2025: REAL ID enforcement began May 7, 2025 for domestic U.S. flights. A REAL ID-compliant license or passport is required for boarding domestic flights. 

2. Make and retain copies of your passport and other travel documents and keep them separate from the originals.

• Travelers should make and retain two copies of all important immigration documents, such as passport bio pages and visas. Travelers should travel with one copy, storing it separately from original documents. If a passport or other travel document is lost or stolen, the photocopies will be useful in reporting the loss to the authorities and obtaining replacement documents. 

3. Carry original documents at all times — not in your checked luggage.

• Ensure that essential travel documents and information are both secure and easily accessible during your trip. 

4. Plan for airport delays and heightened security screenings.

• Tighter security around the holidays is normal, but this year travelers can expect that security levels will be particularly heightened. In some instances, travelers may be subject to an additional, secondary level of inspection, with accompanying delays, should U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) opt to further verify the validity of documents, status or other background information before admission. 

5. Memorize emergency contact information. 

• Memorize the phone number or e-mail address of trusted friends or attorney so that they can be contacted in case of an emergency. 

6. Inspection upon return to U.S. at port of entry

• When arriving in the U.S., the CBP and customs officers can search all personal belongings, include cell phones, laptops and tablets. Ensure that devices are backed up and sensitive data is protected. 

Tips for Visa Waiver Travelers to the U.S. for Business or Pleasure 

International travelers visiting the U.S. for business or leisure who are eligible for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program should remember that they must first register their travel and receive authorization via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). The Visa Waiver Program permits citizens from participating countries to visit the U.S. for tourism or business for up to 90 days without requiring a traditional visa. As of September 30, 2025, the ESTA fee has increased to $40. 

The DHS advises travelers to print their ESTA application response to keep a record of their application number and confirm their ESTA status. Travelers will need to submit new ESTA applications if previous authorization has expired or if certain key information has changed since their last approval. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reminded travelers to allow 72 hours for ESTA. 

Tips for Temporary Workers and Other Nonimmigrants in the United States 

Temporary workers and other nonimmigrant visa holders in the U.S. (such as H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN) should verify that their visa remains valid for reentry after international travel and confirm whether it permits single or multiple entries. 

Many temporary workers and students travel abroad during the holiday season, and a significant number will need new visas before returning to work or school in January. This seasonal surge in visa applications coincides with reduced staffing and shorter hours at U.S. consular posts due to holiday schedules. In addition to U.S. federal holidays observed by the Department of State and consular offices abroad, local holidays in host countries, particularly in regions like the Middle East or Asia, can lead to additional closures. These factors make holiday travel and visa processing more challenging. 

If a new visa is required, applicants should book consular appointments as early as possible, as slots fill quickly in December and January. Visa issuance may also be delayed during this period, so schedule appointments early in your trip to allow sufficient time for passport return after visa approval.  

Changes to Consular Processes in 2025 

All applicants applying for nonimmigrant visas must schedule their visa interview appointment only at a U.S. consular post in their country of nationality or residence.  

Further, nearly all visa applicants must now attend in-person interviews, including children under 14 and adults over 79. 

Social media vetting rules apply for certain visa categories, so visa applicants should carefully review visa application requirements to ensure compliance. 

New H-1B visa applicants should carefully review whether they are subject to the $100,000 payment requirement for certain H-1B petitions. 

As always, Foster attorneys are available for consultations to address travel-related issues or concerns. Foster also provides periodic updates on the firm’s website at www.fosterglobal.com.