December 2025 Travel Restrictions: What's Changing Now
Travel restrictions updates for December 2025 bring significant changes affecting millions of international travelers, including new biometric collection requirements, ongoing visa suspensions for 19 countries, and expanded EU border security systems. These changes take effect immediately or within the coming weeks.
Whether you're planning holiday travel or a business trip, understanding these new requirements is essential to avoid delays, denials, or being stranded at the border. Here's everything you need to know.
Key Travel Restrictions Changes for December 2025
Several major policy changes are now in effect or coming soon:
- DHS Biometric Collection (Dec 26): All noncitizens will be photographed at US entry and exit points starting December 26, 2025
- 19-Country Visa Ban: Full or partial visa suspensions continue for 19 nations since June 2025
- Third-Country Processing Ended: US visa interviews must now occur in country of residence or nationality only
- EU EES Expansion: Europe's Entry/Exit System continues rollout, with full deployment by April 2026
- ESTA Fee Increase: Visa Waiver Program travelers now pay $40 (up from $21) as of September 2025
- Interview Waivers Eliminated: Nearly all visa applicants must attend in-person interviews, including those under 14 and over 79
These changes represent the most significant overhaul of US travel policy in decades. Additionally, similar restrictions are expanding across Europe as the EU implements its own biometric border systems.
Who Is Affected By These Travel Restrictions
These travel restrictions updates impact different groups in different ways. Understanding which rules apply to you is critical before booking any international travel.
For US Visa Applicants
If you're applying for a US visa, you must now schedule interviews in your country of residence or nationality. Third-country processing is no longer available except in rare humanitarian cases. Expect longer wait times—Mumbai averages 11 months for B-1/B-2 interviews.
For Citizens of Banned Countries
Citizens of 12 fully banned countries (Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen) cannot apply for any US visa type. Seven additional countries face partial bans on tourist, student, and exchange visas.
For Travelers to Europe
Non-EU nationals entering Schengen countries must now provide biometric data at external borders. The EU's Entry/Exit System continues expanding, with full deployment expected by April 10, 2026. ETIAS authorization will become mandatory in late 2026.
For Green Card Holders and Current Visa Holders
Legal permanent residents and those with valid visas issued before June 8, 2025, are generally exempt from the travel ban. However, consult with an immigration attorney before traveling if you're from an affected country.
How to Prepare for New Travel Requirements - Step by Step
Follow these steps to ensure smooth international travel under the new restrictions:
- Verify Your Status: Check if your nationality is affected by the 19-country visa ban or partial restrictions
- Schedule Early: Book visa interviews months in advance due to extended wait times at most consulates
- Prepare Biometric Documentation: Ensure your passport photo meets requirements for both US and EU systems
- Check ESTA Status: Visa Waiver Program travelers should apply for ESTA well before departure
- Gather Supporting Documents: Have proof of ties to your home country ready for visa interviews
- Review Current Visa Validity: Confirm your visa was issued before June 8, 2025, if traveling from a banned country
Important Dates and Timeline
Mark these critical dates on your calendar:
- December 26, 2025: DHS begins collecting photos and fingerprints from all noncitizens at US borders
- January 2, 2026: Comment period closes on proposed expanded biometrics rule
- January 30, 2026: Religious worker (SR) visa category extension expires
- April 10, 2026: EU Entry/Exit System expected to be fully deployed across all 30 Schengen countries
- Q4 2026: ETIAS authorization system expected to launch for travelers to Europe
Frequently Asked Questions
What Countries Are on the US Travel Ban List?
The US travel ban affects 19 countries total. Twelve have full bans (Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen). Seven have partial bans affecting specific visa categories (Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela).
Are There Exemptions to the Travel Ban?
Yes. Exemptions include legal permanent residents, those with valid visas issued before June 8, 2025, immediate relatives of US citizens, refugees, asylum seekers, Afghan SIV holders, and athletes traveling for major sporting events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Will I Need ETIAS to Travel to Europe?
Not yet. ETIAS is expected to launch in late 2026. The €20 authorization will be required for visa-free travelers (US, Canadian, Australian citizens, etc.) for short stays in 30 European countries. Ireland is not included and maintains its own visa policy.
Do US Citizens Need to Provide Biometrics?
The December 2025 rule applies only to noncitizens. US citizens may voluntarily participate in facial recognition for faster processing, or opt out and undergo manual passport inspection instead.
What You Need to Know Before Traveling
The December 2025 travel restrictions represent a fundamental shift in international travel requirements. Stricter visa interview policies, new biometric collection at all US entry points, and expanding EU border systems mean travelers must plan further ahead than ever before.
Before any international trip, verify your visa status, ensure your passport photo specifications meet current requirements, and allow extra time for security processing. Those requiring new visas should consult immigration counsel and schedule interviews immediately given extended wait times. The days of last-minute international travel are effectively over for citizens of many countries.
Sources: - [DHS Biometric Entry/Exit Final Rule](https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/dhs-announces-final-rule-advance-biometric-entry/exit-program) - [US Travel and Visa Restrictions - UCSF](https://isso.ucsf.edu/news/us-travel-restrictions-June-2025) - [2025 Holiday Travel Guidelines - Fragomen](https://www.fragomen.com/insights/united-states-2025-holiday-travel-guidelines-for-foreign-nationals.html) - [Trump 2025 Travel Ban Analysis - American Immigration Council](https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/report/trump-2025-travel-ban/) - [EU EES and ETIAS Timeline](https://travel-europe.europa.eu/revised-timeline-ees-and-etias-2025-03-07_en) - [Countries on Trump's 2025 Travel Ban - Council on Foreign Relations](https://www.cfr.org/article/guide-countries-trumps-2025-travel-ban-list)