Introduction
Awareness of today’s US immigration policies can help individuals prepare confidently for upcoming travel. Understanding the current immigration climate is especially useful when planning trips to the United States. This is in large part due to the Trump administration’s increased security and vetting measures. Policies are becoming increasingly strict, reviews are more in-depth, and the regulatory landscape remains in flux. With new and updated policies being implemented regularly, it is critical for prospective travelers to stay informed and to plan well in advance.
According to the US Travel Association, international visits to the United States fell approximately 14% in March 2025 compared to the same month a year prior.1 This downturn has impacted the US tourism industry as well as the broader economy. Despite this, US immigration policy is poised to undergo additional restrictionist changes throughout the Trump administration’s tenure, which may further limit cross-border travel. Expected changes include expanded enforcement at US borders and ports of entry, broader travel restrictions, reduced humanitarian relief options, and heightened scrutiny of US immigration petitions and visa applications.
Ultimately, it is important to stay updated on current immigration policy to reduce the risk of visa denials or refusal of entry at US borders. This article highlights some of the most significant changes to US immigration and visa processing, with a focus on short-term business travel and temporary international assignments. For a more in-depth look at what businesses and individuals need to know, we encourage you to visit Fragomen’s microsite, Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration, for the latest updates.
Nationality-based travel ban
Building on its broader enforcement agenda, the Trump administration implemented a travel ban by way of Presidential Proclamation on 4 June 2025, restricting the entry of nationals from 19 countries from entering the United States.2 The proclamation suspends both immigrant and non-immigrant visa issuance to the United States for nationals of the following 12 countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
The proclamation further imposes a partial ban suspending both immigrant and B, F, M, and J non-immigrant visa issuance for business travelers, tourists, students, and exchange visitors who are nationals of the following seven countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. At the time of writing this article, the Trump administration is considering an expansion to the travel ban but has not yet finalized action toward that end.
The travel ban applies to nationals of the above-mentioned countries who were outside the United States on 9 June 2025 and who did not possess a valid visa as of that date. While there are exceptions to the travel ban, such as for US lawful permanent residents, dual nationals, certain athletes, diplomats, and specific at-risk humanitarian visa applicants, the enforcement remains fluid and subject to change.
In exceptional cases, visa applicants who are otherwise subject to the nationality-based travel ban may seek an exemption by demonstrating to consular officials that their travel would serve a United States national interest.3 Officers have significant discretion in making this determination, and the bar to qualify is set particularly high. Nationals of countries subject to the travel ban should carefully assess whether the new restrictions apply to them, seeking legal assistance when appropriate.
Elimination of the age-based visa interview waiver
Other changes target groups that had historically been exempt from in-person interviews. As part of the broader tightening of visa procedures under the Trump administration, the State Department has eliminated certain longstanding flexibilities in the interview process. One such change is the end of the age-based interview waiver, a policy that exempted the youngest and oldest applicants from attending in-person visa interviews.
Effective from 2 September 2025, all applicants, regardless of age, must now generally attend a visa interview in person.4 A prior accommodation had been designed to reflect practical realities. Children under 14 were not required to provide biometric data, and elderly applicants often faced difficulties in traveling to consular posts. As such, applicants under the age of 14 or over the age of 79 were able to apply by mail.
With the waiver’s elimination, this change is expected to create logistical challenges for applicants and consular posts, including greater strain on waiting room capacity, longer wait times, and more complex scheduling demands for consular staff tasked with managing higher interview volumes.
Updates to non-immigrant visa application process
Beyond nationality-based restrictions, even procedural steps of applying for visas have tightened. Effective as of 1 May 2025, the US Department of State introduced stricter submission requirements for the mandatory online application, Form DS-160. This form, which is required for all non-immigrant visas, collects biographical details, travel history, social media identifiers, and security-related information and generates a confirmation number that must be presented at the visa interview.
The change in process now requires Form DS-160 to be submitted a minimum of two business days in advance of the scheduled interview. Certain US Consulates have introduced more stringent requirements, requiring the form to be submitted before a visa appointment is scheduled. Because DS-160 submission deadlines vary by consular post, applicants should confirm the specific requirements on the post’s website to ensure the application will be accepted at the scheduled interview. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in automatic cancellation of the visa appointment.
Additionally, the confirmation number on Form DS-160 must precisely match the one listed in the online appointment scheduling system. While the change in process may appear minor, it has introduced meaningful administrative burdens for visa applicants. In practice, this requirement creates difficulties when applicants need to update their application form, for example, after receiving a new passport or making corrections to previously submitted information.
If it becomes necessary for an applicant to submit a new DS-160 application after scheduling the visa interview, the interview must be cancelled and rescheduled, thus leading to significant delays and forfeiture of the non-refundable government fees. Visa applicants are well advised to complete DS-160 submission as early as possible to avoid unnecessary cancellations, delays, or additional costs.
Social media vetting for F, J and M visa applicants
In addition to procedural hurdles, the administration has expanded substantive vetting of applicants. After briefly suspending the issuance of F, M, and J visas, the US State Department announced on 18 June 2025, that all student and cultural exchange visa applicants would be subjected to enhanced vetting of their online presence, including social media.5
Under this rule, applicants are instructed to set their social media accounts to “public” during the visa application process. If a consular official is unable to review any aspect of the applicant’s online presence, because social media accounts are set to private, officials may make a determination that such an action reflects evasiveness or otherwise calls into question the applicant’s credibility.
During the vetting process, consular officials review applications for any potentially derogatory information. Expressions of hostilities toward the United States, its culture, government, or founding principles may render a visa applicant ineligible. Likewise, evidence of support for designated terrorist organizations or engagement in anti-Semitic behavior may lead to a finding of ineligibility. As an example, the Department of State has indicated that social media posts expressing support for Hamas or its activities may be grounds for visa refusal.
Beyond individual vetting, the Department of State has issued guidance on how consular posts should prioritize student and exchange visitor applications. In particular, priority is afforded to J-1 physicians and F-1 students seeking to study at universities where international students comprise 15 percent or less of the total student population. The latest available data on foreign student enrollment at US institutions is available from the National Center for Education Statistics.6
US visa applicants, including those applying for a renewal of their previously issued visa, should be cognizant that processing times may be longer than usual due to the additional vetting. Thus, it is important that travel plans remain flexible or refundable, as delays can occur.
Increase in security reviews and administrative processing
The emphasis on security reviews does not end with the initial application. Even after a visa interview, applicants may find their cases placed into “administrative processing”. This typically occurs when consular officers determine that an additional security check is required before making a final decision.7 While not routine, these cases do arise with some frequency, and they can significantly delay visa issuance.
Several factors may trigger additional review. These include ties to countries of security concern, frequent travel to sensitive regions, prior or current citizenship or residence in such countries, or records of military service. Employment in sensitive or dual-use technology fields, membership in certain organizations, derogatory social media activity, or appearance in national security or law enforcement databases can also lead to further scrutiny.
Even applicants renewing visas in categories previously approved without issue may find their cases unexpectedly placed in administrative processing. Some applicants pursue a writ of mandamus lawsuit when administrative processing extends beyond reasonable timeframes. Such actions can compel the government to act on a pending case, but they do not guarantee approval. For visa applicants subject to administrative processing, this uncertainty makes advance planning and flexibility essential.
Visa reciprocity changes
Parallel to these developments, the administration has also reduced visa validity periods through changes to the reciprocity schedule, which governs the validity period and number of entries based on an individual’s nationality. Consular officers generally must follow the reciprocity schedule, leaving little discretion in how long a visa may be issued.
Since the Trump administration took office, maximum visa validity periods have been shortened for multiple classifications and a broad range of nationalities.8 Many of these adjustments followed Executive Order 14161, Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats. In most cases, the Department of State provided no advance notice, and changes took effect immediately.
These modifications have had a substantial impact on business and personal travel. As an illustration, individuals from certain countries who were previously eligible for a ten-year, multiple-entry B-1/B-2 visa for business or pleasure are now limited to a three-month, single-entry visa. These changes require far more frequent visa renewals and increased costs, as well as additional administrative burdens. Importantly, visas issued before the changes remain valid for their full duration.
For employers and employees alike, reciprocity changes underscore the need for careful monitoring, as long-standing assumptions about visa validity can no longer be taken for granted.
Border entry and inspection considerations
Policy shifts do not stop at the visa application stage. Even with a valid visa in hand, travelers face increased scrutiny when entering the United States. Although US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has indicated that inspections at ports of entry are now more structured than during the immediate aftermath of recent executive actions, risks remain. While some travelers have attributed entry refusals to political considerations, CBP emphasizes that inspections are decided under long-standing admissibility standards, such as prior law enforcement contact or documentation concerns.
With that said, as part of the inspection process, CBP may review open-source information, including publicly available news and social media content. Officers may also conduct searches of travelers’ electronic devices. In most cases, devices are placed in airplane mode, and only locally stored information is reviewed. More advanced searches require additional justification and supervisory approval. In practice, the proportion of travelers affected by such searches remains minimal.9
Given the unpredictability of travel delays or inspection outcomes, preparedness is essential. Fragomen supports travelers through its 24/7 Travel Entry Emergency Hotline, a subscription-based service staffed by experienced immigration attorneys who can assist in real-time. The hotline provides immediate guidance to individuals encountering urgent entry issues, including secondary inspection, potential denial of entry, or unexpected interactions with CBP at airports, land borders, and other inspection points across the United States.
Global entry: A practical tool for frequent travelers
Against this backdrop of heightened scrutiny and longer wait times, one program provides a measure of relief. Global Entry allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers from designated countries to use expedited processing at participating airports.
Enrollment in Global Entry requires background checks and security screenings in advance. Once approved, travelers can proceed through dedicated kiosks rather than standard inspection lines, making the entry process quicker and more predictable. Eligibility extends to citizens of certain countries, including Germany, whose nationals are among those able to apply. For frequent travelers, particularly those who regularly navigate US border procedures, Global Entry can offer a measure of efficiency in an otherwise complex and evolving immigration environment.
Viewed in the broader context of heightened scrutiny and procedural changes, Global Entry represents a practical way for qualified travelers to reduce uncertainty at the border and plan their international travel with greater confidence. For those interested in applying for Global Entry, Fragomen has dedicated resources who specialize in the application process.
Conclusion
The landscape of US immigration and business travel under the current administration is defined by heightened scrutiny, evolving procedures, and reduced predictability. From nationality-based travel bans to increased vetting of visa applications, changes to interview requirements, and expanded use of security reviews at the border, the common thread is greater complexity for applicants and employers alike. Even seemingly minor adjustments, such as new DS-160 submission rules or modifications to visa reciprocity schedules, can translate into significant administrative and logistical challenges.
At the same time, tools such as Global Entry and resources like Fragomen’s 24/7 Travel Entry Emergency Hotline demonstrate that there are proactive steps travelers and businesses can take to mitigate delays and prepare for contingencies. Careful planning, flexibility in travel arrangements, and staying informed about evolving requirements remain essential strategies for navigating this environment.
Ultimately, international travel to the United States has become more demanding, and travelers should be mindful of the current environment. By combining awareness of policy developments with practical measures to reduce risk and streamline the process, individuals and organizations can continue to manage mobility effectively even in a time of increased unpredictability.
