Travel Alerts
The Visa and Immigration Services (VIS) team is here to keep you informed about immigration policy updates that may affect your F-1 or J-1 status.
On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at enhancing the screening and vetting of visa applicants, particularly from countries identified as having potential security risks. This may result in increased processing time for visa applicants, a higher likelihood of application denials, and more intensive inspections during the immigration process.
Travel Ban – Effective June 9, 2025
A new Presidential Proclamation restricts entry to the U.S. for nationals of 19 countries,
with full and partial travel bans based on visa type and country of citizenship. These
restrictions take effect at 12:01 AM (EDT) on Monday, June 9, 2025, and apply only to individuals outside the U.S. without a valid visa on that date.
👉 Read below for details on who is affected and what this may mean for you.
Current Recommendations for International Travelers
Until more information is available, we strongly recommend taking the following precautions:
- If you’ve had prior interaction with the criminal justice system avoid non-essential travel, as this may increase the risk of delays or complications at the border.
- Be mindful of your digital footprint. Border officials may review content on your personal devices and social media accounts.
Planning International Travel? Here’s What You Should Know
If you plan to travel internationally, it’s important to plan carefully, be prepared for unexpected changes, and allow ample time to accommodate potential delays. To help you prepare, we recommend the following:
- Travel Timing: Plan your travel carefully and prepare for the possibility of sudden change.
- Visa Processing Times: If you require a new U.S. entry visa, be prepared for longer processing times, delays in scheduling an appointment, and more extensive security checks.
- Necessary Documentation: Ensure you have all required documentation for travel, including your passport (with valid visa), your I-20/DS-2019 with valid travel signature, proof of enrollment (i.e. transcript, enrollment verification or print out from SOLAR), and evidence of funding ready for inspection.
- Be prepared to answer questions: CBP officers may ask about your purpose for entering the U.S., your studies, travel history, or plans. Stay calm, and answer clearly and confidently.
- Expect Additional Screening: Expect more intensive screening at U.S. ports of inspection when you return from abroad. While delays can be frustrating, patience and cooperation with CBP officers go a long way in ensuring a smoother reentry process.
How to Check Your Visa Status
You can check the status of your visa using the Department of State's Visa Status Portal.To log in, you’ll need your DS-160 Application ID or Case Number.
If you discover that your visa has been revoked, please contact Visa and Immigration Services (VIS) immediately and share any documentation or communication you received.
TRAVEL BAN
In 2025, two Presidential Proclamations were issued restricting entry into the United States for nationals of select countries for national security and public safety reasons.
- On June 4, 2025, Presidential Proclamation 10949 - Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats was signed.
- On December 16, 2025, a second proclamation - Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States (Proclamation 10998) expanded and modified the previous list of countries subject to travel restrictions.
A second Proclamation, issued on December 16, 2025, titled Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States, modified the list of countries previously identified under Presidential Proclamation 10949.
The updated policy takes effect at 12:01 a.m. (EDT) on January 1, 2026.
Important Notes
- The ban applies only to foreign nationals outside the United States on January 1, 2026 who do not have a valid visa at 12:01 a.m. (EST). Valid visas issued before that date are not revoked by the proclamation.
- Certain exemptions and waivers may still apply in specific circumstances as outlined in the full text of the proclamations.
Countries Subject to Entry Restrictions (Alphabetized)
Full Ban
Entry into the United States is suspended for both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, unless an exception applies. This includes nationals of the following 19 countries,
as well as individuals traveling on Palestinian Authority–issued travel documents:
- Afghanistan
- Burkina Faso
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Chad
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Laos
- Libya
- Mali
- Niger
- Republic of the Congo
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Yemen
- Individuals with travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority
Partial Ban
Entry is suspended for immigrants and nonimmigrants in the following visa categories, B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F (students), M (vocational students), and J (exchange visitors), unless an exception applies.
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Benin
- Burundi
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Cuba
- Dominica
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Tonga
- Venezuela
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- Turkmenistan is unique: entry is suspended only for immigrant visas but not suspended for the listed nonimmigrant visa categories.
Need Help While Traveling?
If you encounter any issues or delays that require assistance, you can contact our office at (631) 632-4685 or email vis@stonybrook.edu. We’ll be here to support you if needed.
Stay Updated
We encourage you to check your email regularly, as updates or important information will be sent from vis@stonybrook.edu.