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Ellis 2025 Holiday Season International Travel Guidelines

5 min read
Written by Aarushi Ahuja

Key Things to Know

  • Make sure your documents are valid before you travel. Check your passport, visa stamp, I-797 approval notice, travel endorsements (for F-1/J-1), and proof of employment. U.S. authorities are applying stricter document and reentry requirements, and missing or expired documents can delay or prevent your return.
  • If you need a new visa stamp, expect longer processing times.Security checks and the effects of new H-1B/H-4 online presence review requirements mean longer processing times at U.S. consulates abroad.
  • Travel can affect pending immigration cases.If you have a pending change of status, extension, new employment petition, or green card application, traveling may delay your case or in some situations cause it to be considered abandoned by USCIS. If you’re unsure how this might affect your case, reach out to Ellis.
  • Expect slower processing everywhere during the holidays.Airports, consulates, and border checkpoints are all busier than usual. Build in extra time and reach out to the Ellis team if anything unexpected comes up.

Current Travel Considerations 

We assess international travel as higher risk this holiday season due to:

That said, for those of you considering traveling, we’re here to help you prepare. Here’s what to be aware of.

Before You Travel: Checklist

Before booking travel (or as soon as possible), confirm that the following are valid for the entire duration of your trip:

✓ Passport

Make sure it’s valid for at least six months beyond your intended return date. 

CBP will not admit you past your passport’s expiration date, even if your approval notice (Form I-797 or other) is valid longer. A shortened I-94 based on passport expiration will result in having to update status sooner than otherwise necessary, so renew early and monitor your I-94 after every U.S. entry.✓ U.S. Visa Stamp

Check your visa stamp’s expiration date and visa category. If it is expired or will expire before your return, you will need a visa appointment abroad to reenter the U.S.

✓ I-797 Approval Notice

Carry the original copy and make sure the validity dates cover your planned return date to the U.S. following the holidays.

✓ Employment Verification (Recommended but Optional)

Bring a recent employment verification letter, pay stubs, or both. This is particularly important for H-1B, L-1, O-1, and TN travelers who may be asked to display proof of continued employment.

✓ Advance Parole (for adjustment applicants)

Required for most applicants with pending green card applications. If your Advance Parole document expires during travel, you cannot return without a new one.

✓ Travel-Endorsed I-20 or DS-2019 (F-1/J-1)

Your school or program sponsor must sign the travel endorsement before you travel abroad. If you have to ship the document to your school or sponsor, make sure to factor in this additional time requirement. 

Traveling With a Pending Immigration Petition

Travel may affect certain immigration filings. If any of the following apply to you, don’t hesitate to reach out to Ellis with any questions!

Change of Status (COS) Filings

If you depart the U.S. while a COS is pending, the request is considered abandoned, and you will need a visa stamp corresponding to your new status to return.

Extensions of Stay

Extensions may continue processing while you are abroad, but re-entry could be complicated if the extension is not yet approved.

H-1B, H-4, L-1, O-1, and Other Employment Petitions

Timing matters. If your approval is pending, you may need to wait for approval (and potentially obtain a new visa stamp) before returning.

Green Card (I-485) Applicants

Adjustment of status applicants must have valid Advance Parole to re-enter the U.S. unless returning in valid H-1B/H-4 or L-1/L-2 status to continue employment.

Traveling without AP in other situations may result in abandonment of your green card application.

Visa Stamps: What to Expect

If you need a visa stamp to return to the U.S., please keep the following in mind:

Appointment Availability

  • Consulates currently have reduced interview capacity because new regulations have increased case review times. This means fewer appointments available each day.
  • During late November through early January, holiday closures reduce availability even more.
  • Schedule as far in advance as possible, and consider alternate consulates in your home country if your local post shows limited options.

Documents Required for U.S. Consulate Appointments

You will typically need:

  • DS-160 confirmation page
  • Passport
  • I-797 approval notice
  • Employment verification letter
  • Recent pay stubs
  • Academic/program documents (for students or exchange visitors)

Administrative Processing

  • Certain applicants are placed into administrative processing, which can delay visa issuance.
  • Current timelines range from several weeks to several months, depending on the post and the nature of the additional checks.

Documents Needed to Re-Enter the United States

Below are the essential documents required for re-entry after holiday travel:

For H-1B/H-4, L-1/L-2, O-1/O-3, TN, E-3

  • Valid passport and visa stamp (unless visa-exempt)
  • I-797 approval notice
  • Proof of ongoing employment

For F-1 Students

  • Valid passport and visa
  • I-20 with a recent travel endorsement
  • Proof of enrollment and financial support
  • For OPT/STEM OPT:
    • Valid EAD card
    • Employer details
    • Updated I-20 reflecting employment

For Adjustment of Status Applicants

  • Valid Advance Parole document; or
  • Valid H-1B/H-4 or L-1/L-2 status returning to resume employment.

For Dependents (H-4, L-2, O-3, etc.)

  • Valid passport and dependent visa
  • Copy of the principal’s I-797 approval
  • Proof of the principal’s ongoing employment (recommended)

Additional Holiday-Season Considerations

  • Holiday surges increase wait times everywhere: airports, consulates, and border checkpoints.
  • Keep digital copies of all documents in case originals are lost.
  • Let your employer and Ellis know if you encounter delays or are unable to return as planned.

We hope this overview helps you feel more prepared as you plan for the season ahead. If you have any questions or concerns about your travel or status, we’re here to help.

Happy holidays and safe travels from the Ellis team!

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