Dear International Students and Scholars,
As the fall semester comes to a close, the Center for Global Engagement recognizes that many members of our community may have travel plans that include travel outside of the United States. We understand that travel is a personal decision and we are writing today to equip you with information to help guide your planning.
Important Travel Considerations
We strongly encourage careful review of potential risks before finalizing international travel plans, and monitoring for changes that may impact your plans. New immigration policies may decrease travel flexibility and increase the risk of travel and reentry delays for foreign nationals. Understanding your immigration status within the changing policy landscape can help you prepare and plan for the upcoming travel season. We strongly recommend that you consider:
Monitoring existing or prospective travel bans. Travel bans for 19 countries were announced June 4, 2025 and are still in effect. This may make it impossible for citizens of impacted countries to obtain a visa or return to the United States. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently indicated that additional travel bans will be added, although no additional information about those plans has been published as of the date of this announcement. If additional travel restrictions are implemented, they may be put into effect swiftly and without advance notice. We strongly encourage you not to travel internationally if you are from one of the 19 countries with a current travel ban or if you are from a country that was previously reported to be included in a future travel ban.
Appointment availability and potential delays if you must renew your visa. Traveling for the sole purpose of renewing your F, H or J visa is not necessary. However, if you absolutely must travel and also need a new visa, delays in visa processing are expected. We strongly recommend that you schedule your appointment at the U.S. consulate or embassy before you depart the United States. If you encounter any delays or difficulties in returning to the U.S. by your required return date, please notify UMBC's Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) as soon as possible.
Enhanced social media screening and vetting. During a visa application, social media screening is now in effect for all F and J visa applicants. Social media screening will be implemented for all H visa applicants beginning December 15, 2025. There are reports that a number of H-1B and H-4 visa appointments scheduled on or after December 15, 2025 have been canceled and rescheduled for March 2026. H visa applicants should carefully consider their travel plans in anticipation that their visa appointment may be rescheduled, and they will be prohibited from returning to the U.S. until a valid visa is issued.
Enhanced screening at U.S. ports of entry. If you decide to travel abroad, be prepared for enhanced screening by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) upon your return to the U.S. You may be asked to present your electronic devices and passwords for access. You may find information from ACLU about your rights at the airport to be helpful.
Your own tolerance for risk and uncertainty. Consider whether your personal risk assessment indicates a high likelihood of travel complications, if you will be unable to afford the possibility of a visa denial or delayed re-entry, or if the prospect of increased questioning at consulates or ports of entry causes significant anxiety. If any of these are the case, it may be advisable to postpone your travel plans.
Documentation to prepare in advance of your travel
If you do decide to travel outside of the U.S., it is important to prepare all documentation before you depart the United States and check the validity of all documentation. If you are in F-1 or J-1 status, a travel signature is required on the form I-20 or DS-2019. Travel within the U.S. does not require updated travel signatures; however, you must carry your proof of immigration status with you.
Please review the following requirements based on your visa type:
F-1 currently enrolled students or on OPT/STEM: Be sure to check that you have a travel endorsement on page 2 of your form I-20 that will still be valid on the date that you return to the U.S. Check your passport validity and the expiration date of your F-1 visa to make sure it will be valid on the date you plan to return. For other recommended documentation, please follow the guidance for enrolled F-1 students and students pursuing post-graduation OPT or STEM OPT. For enrolled students, ensure that you are registered for Spring 2026 classes and that you will return to the U.S. prior to the start of the semester on Monday, January 26, 2026.
J-1 Exchange Visitors: Be sure to check that you have a travel endorsement on the bottom right corner of page 1 of your DS-2019 that will still be valid on the date you return to the U.S. Check your passport validity and the expiration date of your J-1 visa to make sure it will be valid on the date of your return. For J-1 scholars or researchers, it is recommended that you take a copy of your signed appointment letter with you. For enrolled J-1 students, ensure that you are registered for Spring 2026 classes and that you will return to the U.S. prior to the start of the semester on Monday, January 26, 2026.
H-1B employees: Be sure to check that your passport will be valid for six months beyond the entire period of your H-1B approved stay (see dates on form I-797 approval notice) in the U.S. and confirm that the visa in your passport is unexpired and reflects your current H-1B classification. Take your notice of approval (form I-797), your latest appointment letter, and a copy of the full petition (located in your box folder).
If you have a pending change of status to H-1B, you should not travel until the change of status is approved. Departing the U.S. while it is pending is considered an abandonment of the request. If the petition is later denied, you may become subject to the $100,000 fee.
Traveling while an H-1B petition and extension of stay or amendment of stay is pending should not trigger the fee, though caution is still advised.
What to do during and after your return to the United States
If you have questions in advance of your return to the U.S., please contact OISS. If you encounter any difficulties while attempting to enter the United States, please contact UMBC Police at +1-410-455-5555 and they will get in touch with someone from our team.
After your successful re-entry to the U.S., please download and review your electronic I-94 immediately to make sure that entry in the correct visa status is reflected. If you notice any discrepancies, please contact OISS.
We wish safe travels to those choosing to travel during the winter break, and we hope that all members of our community have a chance to rest and recharge before the start of the Spring 2026 semester.
Sincerely,
Katrina Knudsen
Director, Office of International Students and Scholars