What’s Happening?

On July 8, 2025, the U.S. Department of State updated its visa reciprocity schedule, reducing visa validity and entry allowances for more than 50 countries. The reciprocity schedule determines how long a visa is valid, how many times it can be used to enter the U.S., and what fee is charged based on how that country treats U.S. travelers.

For many nations, certain nonimmigrant visas in the B (visitor), F (student), H (temporary worker), J (exchange visitor), M (vocational student), and O (individuals with extraordinary ability) categories have been shortened to three months validity and single entry only. Visas issued before this date remain valid as printed. Full or partial travel bans also remain in effect for several of these countries, which may further limit visa issuance.