2025 Travel Guidance
All Dartmouth travelers should be proactive when making domestic and international travel plans by confirming that you have the appropriate documents for travel, and that you have consulted available resources regarding any potential risks associated with travel. If your international travel is Dartmouth-related, you must fill out the travel registry. Given possible future travel restrictions and increased screening and enforcement, including immigration enforcement within the U.S., it is important that members of our international and immigrant community be prepared for travel, consider the possible risks of travel, and stay up to date on any immigration policy or rule changes.
Proclamation imposes travel bans on 19 designated countries
Effective June 9, 2025 19 countries are designated as subject to a full or partial travel ban according to a Proclamation issued by the White House on June 4, 2025. Citizens of the 19 countries should review the information on the OVIS and Department of State websites for more information. Individuals in possession of a valid visa that matches their status in the U.S. when the bans went into effect may continue to travel and reenter the U.S. on the visa.
Possible expansion of travel ban to 36 additional countries
Media outlets (see articles from The Washington Post and Reuters) have reported that the Dept of State sent an internal memo to consular posts worldwide indicating that 36 additional countries will be given 60 days to address the administration's requirements or be subject to a full or partial travel ban. The reports list the following countries: Angola; Antigua and Barbuda; Benin; Bhutan; Burkina Faso; Cabo Verde; Cambodia; Cameroon; Democratic Republic of Congo; Djibouti; Dominica; Ethiopia; Egypt; Gabon; Gambia; Ghana; Ivory Coast; Kyrgyzstan; Liberia; Malawi; Mauritania; Niger; Nigeria; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Sao Tome and Principe; Senegal; South Sudan; Syria; Tanzania; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uganda; Vanuatu; Zambia; and Zimbabwe. At this time there has been no formal announcement from the federal government regarding this potential expansion of the travel ban. OVIS will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as they become available.
Temporary suspension of international student visa interviews at U.S. consulates abroad
According to a cable obtained by the media in late May, the federal government ordered U.S. embassies and consular posts to temporarily pause scheduling new visa appointments for F and J visas until the Department of State issued guidance on vetting social media of visa applicants. On June 18, 2025 the Department of State announced that it has issued the guidance on social media vetting and that consular posts worldwide will resume scheduling visa appointments for F and J applicants "soon". It is important to note that the State Department announcement states that applicants will be instructed to adjust privacy settings on all social media accounts to "public".
Students should submit appointment requests as soon as you are able, and regularly check the specific consular post website for any updates. We encourage students to communicate with OVIS regarding any delays or other issues they experience in scheduling appointments.
OVIS is closely monitoring this situation and will provide updates. It is too early to know how this change in policy will impact visa appointment availability and visa processing times. Current students and J-1 exchange visitors who are planning international travel and need to renew their visa should consider the risk that they may not be able to secure a visa appointment in time to return for scheduled Dartmouth activities.
Remember: For domestic or international travel, carry your immigration documents*
- Passport
- Form I-20
- Most recent I-94 record of arrival
- Passport
- Form DS-2019
- Most recent I-94 record of arrival
- Passport
- Form I-797 Notice of Approval of H-1B or O-1 status
- Most recent I-94 record of arrival
Lawful permanent residents should carry their green card.
Individuals who hold another status in the U.S. should carry their passport and proof of their legal status in the U.S., and a copy of the most recent I-94 record, if applicable.
*The Immigration and Nationality Act requires all nonimmigrants and lawful permanent residents to carry their immigration registration document. This is a Form I-94 or an EAD work card for nonimmigrants, or a green card for lawful permanent residents. OVIS recommends that nonimmigrants carry the documents listed in this travel guidance.
Print and carry your most recent I-94 record of arrival - The U.S. Customs and Border Protection I-94 database generates electronic I-94 records of arrival. At a minimum, have an electronic copy of your I-94 available on your phone or other device. It is recommended to print a copy of the most recent I-94 record of arrival evidencing your last date of entry and admission in legal status. You can access your most recent I-94 record of arrival from the CBP website.
Domestic travel and the 100-Mile Border Zone – U.S. Customs and Border Protection has the authority to carry out random enforcement actions, including highway checkpoints and inspections on buses, in areas within 100 miles of the U.S. border. More information about the 100-mile border zone can be found on the ACLU website.
Members of our international and immigrant communities should know your rights when you travel domestically or when entering the U.S.
Have a designated contact/plan – As you prepare for travel, you can consider designating someone to have access to copies of your documents and contact information for a family member, and for individuals working with outside immigration counsel, your immigration attorney. Share your travel information with that designated individual, as well as your family and attorney (if applicable), in advance.
Understand your rights
- Know Your Rights: Red Cards – https://www.ilrc.org/red-cards-tarjetas-rojas
- Know Your Rights: At the Airport - https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-when-encountering-law-enforcement-airports-and-other-ports-entry-us
- Know Your Rights: If Arrested or Detained – https://www.nilc.org/resources/know-your-rights-what-to-do-if-arrested-detained-immigration/
- If you are detained by immigration or other law enforcement officials:
- Do not make false or inaccurate statements or provide false documents
- Call a family member and/or your attorney if you have one
- Call Dartmouth Department of Safety and Security: 603-646-4000
- If you are detained by immigration or other law enforcement officials:
Additional International Travel Considerations
Do you have a valid visa stamp? - For international travel, ensure you have a valid visa stamp to reenter the U.S. and be prepared to renew your visa at a U.S. Consulate abroad. If you need to apply for a new visa stamp, check the website of the U.S. Consulate where you will apply for wait times and application procedures. Make sure you have time to obtain the visa before you need to be back at Dartmouth, including understanding the risk of potential administrative processing delays.
Are your electronic devices secure? U.S. Customs and Border Protection claims broad authority to search electronic devices at the U.S. border and international airports. Dartmouth ITC provides guidance for international travel and for practicing good digital hygiene.
What are the risks of traveling to other countries in the world? Individuals planning to travel abroad should consider any potential risks related to their destination country, and consult Dartmouth's Office of Global Risk and Security with specific questions or concerns.
Additional resources for F-1 students and travel
- Study in the States:
- ICE F-1 Student Travel FAQs - https://www.ice.gov/sevis/travel
If you have questions about upcoming domestic or international travel, please reach out to OVIS or schedule an appointment with your OVIS advisor.