U.S. Slashes Visa Validity for Dozens of Countries: What You Need to Know
In July 2025, the U.S. Department of State abruptly and dramatically reduced the validity and number of entries for new nonimmigrant visas for nationals of over 50 countries. Most affected visas are now valid for just 3 months and a single entry-with significant implications for travelers, students, and institutions.
What Happened?
In early July 2025, the Department of State (DOS) announced sweeping changes to its visa reciprocity schedules, slashing the validity period and number of entries for new nonimmigrant visas—including B1/B2 (visitor), F-1 (student), H1B (temporary worker), J-1 (exchange visitor), M-1 (vocational student), and O-1 (extraordinary ability) categories—for citizens of dozens of countries. For most, the new standard is a 3-month, single-entry visa. These changes apply only to visas issued after the effective date; previously issued visas retain their original validity and entry permissions.
Why Did the U.S. Make These Changes?
The DOS cited the principle of visa reciprocity—the idea that U.S. visa policies should mirror the treatment U.S. citizens receive from other countries—as the main driver. The Immigration and Nationality Act requires the U.S. to set visa validity, entries, and fees based on what other countries offer Americans. Recent executive actions, including Presidential Proclamation 10949 (June 2025), which imposed new travel bans on 19 countries, also played a role in accelerating these changes.
Who Is Affected?
The new rules impact nationals of over 50 countries, many in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Some countries are also subject to full or partial travel bans, further restricting entry. The changes primarily affect new applicants for B, F, H, J, M, and O visas, but there are exceptions and special cases for certain countries and visa types.
Visa Reciprocity Chart: New Validity and Entry Limits
Below is a comprehensive markdown-formatted chart summarizing the new visa validity and entry limits for each affected country. Unless otherwise noted, all B, F, H, J, M, and O visa categories are limited to 3 months and a single entry.
| Country | Standard Validity & Entry (B, F, H, J, M, O) | Full Travel Ban | Partial Travel Ban | Notes/Exceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 3 months / 1 entry | YES | NO | |
| Angola | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | |
| Benin | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | |
| Bhutan | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | |
| Burkina Faso | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | |
| Burma/Myanmar | 3 months / 1 entry | YES | NO | |
| Burundi | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | YES | |
| Cabo Verde | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | |
| Cambodia | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | H = 1 month / 1 entry |
| Cameroon | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | |
| Chad | 3 months / 1 entry | YES | NO | |
| China | N/A | NO | NO | O visas only = 3 months / 1 entry |
| Comoros | N/A | NO | NO | H, J, O visas only = 3 months / 1 entry |
| Cote D'Ivoire | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | |
| Congo, Republic of | 3 months / 1 entry | YES | NO | |
| Congo, Democratic Rep. | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | M = 1 month / 1 entry; B, F, J, O = 3 months / 1 entry |
| Cuba | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | YES | |
| Eritrea | 3 months / 1 entry | YES | NO | |
| Ethiopia | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | |
| Equatorial Guinea | 3 months / 1 entry | YES | NO | |
| Gambia | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | |
| Ghana | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | |
| Guinea-Bissau | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | H = 3 months / 1 entry; O = 3 months / multiple entry |
| Haiti | 3 months / 1 entry | YES | NO | |
| Iran | 3 months / 1 entry | YES | NO | |
| Kyrgyzstan | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | |
| Laos | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | YES | F-1 = 6 months, multiple entry ($40) or 3 months, 1 entry (no fee); B, F-2, J, M, O = 3 months / 1 entry |
| Libya | 3 months / 1 entry | YES | NO | O = 1 month / 1 entry |
| Papua New Guinea | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | B-2 = 6 months / 1 entry; O = 3 months / 1 entry |
| Madagascar | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | B = 3 months / multiple entries; F, H, J, M, O = 3 months / 1 entry |
| Malawi | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | |
| Micronesia | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | B, F, M = 3 months / 2 entries; J, H, O = 3 months / 1 entry |
| Nauru | N/A | NO | NO | B-2 only = 3 months / 1 entry |
| Niger | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | |
| Nigeria | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | |
| Palau | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | B, F, M = 3 months / 2 entries; J, H, O = 3 months / 1 entry |
| Sao Tome and Principe | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | |
| Sierra Leone | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | YES | |
| Somalia | 3 months / 1 entry | YES | NO | |
| South Sudan | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | |
| Sudan | 3 months / 1 entry | YES | NO | |
| Syria | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | B, F, J, M = 3 months / multiple entries; H, O = 3 months / 1 entry |
| Tanzania | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | |
| Timor-Leste | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | B, F, M = 3 months / 2 entries; J, H, O = 3 months / 1 entry |
| Togo | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | YES | |
| Tonga | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | |
| Turkmenistan | N/A | NO | YES | B, F, J, M, H, O = tiered fee schedules impact duration/entries |
| Tuvalu | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | B-1 = 1 month / 1 entry; B-2, F, H, J, M, O = 3 months / 1 entry |
| Uganda | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | |
| Vanuatu | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | |
| Venezuela | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | YES | |
| Yemen | 3 months / 1 entry | YES | NO | |
| Zambia | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO | |
| Zimbabwe | 3 months / 1 entry | NO | NO |
Column Key:
- Full Travel Ban: "YES" if all immigrant and nonimmigrant entry is suspended, otherwise "NO".
- Partial Travel Ban: "YES" if B, F, J, M visas are suspended or there is reduced validity for other types, otherwise "NO".
What Does This Mean for Travelers, Students, and Institutions?
For Individuals
- Frequent Reapplication: If you leave the U.S., you’ll likely need a new visa for each re-entry, increasing costs and uncertainty.
- Travel Disruption: Academic, business, and family travel plans may be upended, as each trip abroad could require a new visa application and interview.
- No Impact on Status in U.S.: The new rules do not affect your legal status or length of stay if you remain in the U.S. and maintain your visa status. It does not impact your ability to extend your status within the U.S. through a filing to USCIS.
For Institutions
- Enrollment and Retention Risks: U.S. schools and employers may see fewer applications and more disruptions for students and workers from affected countries.
- Increased Advising Needs: International offices must provide more guidance on travel risks, visa renewal, and documentation.
Why Does This Matter?
The new visa rules represent one of the most significant shifts in U.S. nonimmigrant visa policy in years, with far-reaching consequences for international mobility, higher education, and global business.
The July 2025 visa validity reductions are a direct response to statutory reciprocity requirements and recent executive actions. While intended to align U.S. policy with international norms, the changes create new barriers for travelers, students, and institutions. If you are affected, consult your local U.S. embassy or the official DOS reciprocity tables for the latest updates.
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