Visas, Travel, Entry

Visa Revocation Basics

The basic sources and processes of U.S. nonimmigrant visa revocation.

List of Visa Waiver Program Countries

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for 90 days or less without obtaining a U.S. B-1 or B-2 visa. Those entering for business purposes as defined in INA 101(a)(15)(B) are admitted in WB status. Those

Archive: Geographic COVID-19 Proclamations Affecting Entry from Certain Countries

ARCHIVED CONTENT maintained for research and reference purposes only. This page archives information on the geographic COVID-19 Proclamations that limited entry to the United States by individuals who were physically present in a covered country during the 14-day period prior to their planned entry

DOS Policy on Interview Waiver Eligibility

February 24, 2025

Revised Visa Interview Waiver Policy In a February 18, 2025 Interview Waiver Update the Department of State announced changes to its policies on eligibility for waivers of the in-person visa interview requirement. The update rescinds prior expansions of interview waiver authority, for example

Proclamation Suspending Entry of Chinese Students and Researchers Connected to PRC “Military-Civil Fusion Strategy"

Proclamation 10043 of May 29, 2020, titled Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry as Nonimmigrants of Certain Students and Researchers from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) was issued by President Trump during the first Trump administration. It went into effect at 12:00 p.m. eastern daylight

COVID-19 Restrictions on U.S. Visas and Entry

May 10, 2023

This page tracks U.S. visa and entry restrictions related to COVID-19. See NAFSA's Coronavirus Critical Resources Page for related information and resources. Page Contents COVID Vaccine Requirement for Nonimmigrant Air Travelers End May 11 (updated 05/10/2023) Geographic Proclamations No Longer in

Coronavirus Critical Resources

August 24, 2023

NAFSA assembled these resource links to help navigate issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. This content is being maintained for reference purposes.

DOS Limits Use of B Visas for Birth Tourism

A Department of State (DOS) final rule prohibits consular officers from issuing B visas if they determine the applicant's principal purpose is what the administration calls "birth tourism." See 85 FR 4219 (January 24, 2020), effective on the date of publication. DOS published this as a direct final

Implementation of ESTA for VWP Entry at Land Ports of Entry

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) interim final rule published at 87 FR 18967 (April 1, 2022) expanded the ESTA pre-registration requirement to Visa Waiver Program (VWP) visitors planning to enter the United States through land ports of entry. Before the October 1, 2022 implementation date

Presidential Proclamation 9945

Update: President Biden revoked former President Trump's Proclamation 9945 on May 14, 2021. See Proclamation 10209 of May 14, 2021: A Proclamation on Revoking Proclamation 9945. This discussion of the subsequently revoked Proclamation 9945 is maintained for research purposes. Under Presidential