Major Travel Restrictions Reshape International Travel in November 2025
November 2025 has brought sweeping travel restrictions updates affecting millions of international travelers worldwide. The United States officially ended third-country visa processing on November 1, 2025, while Europe's biometric Entry/Exit System expanded to major transportation hubs, fundamentally changing how travelers cross international borders. Additionally, Canada issued cautionary travel advisories for multiple European destinations citing visa complications and growing fraud concerns.
These changes represent the most significant shift in international travel policy in over a decade, impacting visa applicants, tourists, business travelers, and families visiting relatives abroad. Understanding these new requirements is essential for anyone planning international travel through year-end and into 2026.
Key Travel Restriction Changes Taking Effect Now
Seven major policy changes are now in effect or rolling out across North America and Europe. Here's what travelers need to know immediately:
- US Immigrant Visa Interviews: Since November 1, 2025, all applicants must interview in their country of residence or nationality only—third-country processing eliminated
- US Nonimmigrant Visas: Effective September 6, 2025, all nonimmigrant visa applicants must schedule interviews in their home country (no more third-country stamping)
- Europe EES Expansion: Biometric Entry/Exit System expanded to Dover car crossings on November 1, 2025, and Switzerland's Zurich Airport on November 17, 2025
- FAA Flight Restrictions Lifted: All domestic flight restrictions at 40 major US airports ended November 18, 2025, following government shutdown resolution
- Canadian Travel Advisories: New warnings issued for France, Greece, Italy, Austria, Netherlands, Spain, and Ireland citing visa complications and scam risks
- UK Electronic Travel Authorization: Mandatory €19 visa waiver now required, with hundreds of travelers already falling victim to fraudulent third-party websites charging up to €200
These restrictions require immediate action from travelers with upcoming international trips. Many require advance preparation including biometric enrollment, appointment scheduling in specific countries, and verification of legitimate government websites for applications.
Who Is Affected by These Travel Restrictions Updates
The November 2025 travel restrictions updates impact multiple traveler categories differently. Understanding which changes apply to your situation is critical for successful travel planning.
For US Visa Applicants
Anyone applying for US immigrant or nonimmigrant visas must now interview exclusively in their country of residence or nationality. Third-country processing—previously used to avoid long wait times—is no longer available except in rare humanitarian emergencies. Applicants who previously scheduled appointments in third countries like Mexico or Canada must reschedule, potentially facing significantly longer wait times and higher travel costs to reach designated consular posts.
For Travelers to Europe
Non-EU nationals entering the Schengen area must now complete biometric registration through the Entry/Exit System. First-time registrants will have fingerprints scanned and facial photos taken at border crossings, with digital records valid for three years. This applies to tourists, business travelers, and anyone crossing external Schengen borders—though children under 12 are exempt from fingerprint requirements.
For Canadian Citizens Traveling to Europe
Canada's government issued heightened travel advisories for major European destinations warning of visa complications, increased tourist scams including pickpocketing in tourist areas, and delays related to the new EES system implementation. Canadian travelers should exercise increased caution, monitor official travel.gc.ca advisories, and ensure passport photos meet current requirements before departure.
How to Navigate New Visa Interview Requirements - Step by Step
Successfully navigating the new US visa interview restrictions requires careful planning and documentation. Follow these steps to avoid delays:
- Determine Your Designated Post: Identify the US embassy or consulate serving your country of residence or nationality using the official travel.state.gov website
- Check Current Wait Times: Review visa appointment wait times at your designated post using the Global Visa Wait Times tool on travel.state.gov
- Gather Required Documents: Prepare passport photos meeting official specifications, completed visa application forms, supporting documentation, and interview fees
- Schedule Your Interview Early: Book appointments as far in advance as possible, as wait times at some posts exceed 400 days for certain visa categories
- Prepare for Biometrics: Understand that fingerprinting and facial photography will be conducted during your interview appointment
- Plan Travel to Consulate: Budget for potential travel costs to your designated post, especially if you live far from the nearest US embassy or consulate
- Verify Appointment Confirmation: Ensure you receive official confirmation from the US embassy or consulate—not third-party services that may charge excessive fees
Important Dates and Timeline for Implementation
Mark these critical dates to ensure compliance with new international travel restrictions:
- September 6, 2025: US nonimmigrant visa third-country processing eliminated—all new appointments must be in home country
- October 12, 2025: Europe's Entry/Exit System officially launched across 29 countries with gradual rollout beginning
- November 1, 2025: US immigrant visa interviews restricted to country of residence/nationality; EES expanded to Dover car crossings
- November 17, 2025: Switzerland's Zurich Airport implements biometric EES screening for all non-EU arrivals
- November 18, 2025: FAA lifts all emergency flight restrictions at 40 major US airports following shutdown resolution
- April 10, 2026: Europe's Entry/Exit System expected to achieve full implementation across all participating countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Still Schedule My US Visa Interview in a Third Country?
No, third-country visa processing ended on November 1, 2025 for immigrant visas and September 6, 2025 for nonimmigrant visas. You must now schedule interviews in your country of residence or nationality. Limited exceptions exist only for humanitarian emergencies, medical emergencies, or foreign policy reasons, which require special approval from the US Department of State.
What Happens During Europe's EES Biometric Registration?
At your first entry to the Schengen area after the EES launch, border officers will scan your fingerprints and take a facial photograph. This creates a digital record valid for three years. On subsequent entries during this period, you'll only provide a fingerprint or photo for verification. The entire process typically takes 3-5 minutes for first-time registrants.
How Can I Avoid Visa Application Scams?
Only use official government websites for visa and travel authorization applications. For US visas, use travel.state.gov exclusively. For Europe's EES, registration occurs at the border—no advance online application exists. Fraudulent websites charge up to €200 for "services" while simply submitting applications through official channels. Never provide payment or personal information to third-party visa services unless verified through official embassy channels.
Do These Changes Affect My Existing Visa or Travel Plans?
Existing valid visas remain unaffected by these policy changes. However, if you need visa renewal or are applying for a new visa, you must follow the updated interview location requirements. For Europe travel, ensure your passport photo meets current biometric standards and plan extra time at border crossings for EES registration if this is your first entry since October 2025.
What You Need to Know About Travel Restrictions Moving Forward
The November 2025 travel restrictions updates mark a fundamental shift toward more stringent border control and biometric verification worldwide. Travelers should anticipate longer processing times for visa applications, increased documentation requirements, and mandatory biometric enrollment at international borders. These changes aim to enhance security but require significantly more advance planning for international trips.
Before your next international journey, verify that your passport photo meets current requirements for both visa applications and biometric systems—VisaPics offers compliant passport photos for over 952 document types across 172 countries. Stay informed about evolving travel restrictions by monitoring official government sources, avoid third-party scam websites, and allow extra time for both visa processing and border crossings. Planning ahead and using verified official channels will ensure smooth international travel despite these significant policy changes.
--- **Sources:** - [U.S. Department of State - Global Visa Wait Times](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/global-visa-wait-times.html) - [FAA Announces Return to Normal Operations](https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/dot-faa-announce-termination-faa-emergency-order-return-normal-operations) - [European Commission - Entry/Exit System](https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen/smart-borders/entry-exit-system_en) - [Canada Travel Advisories](https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories) - [U.S. Tightens Rules on Visa Interview Locations](https://www.boundless.com/blog/us-tightens-rules-on-where-immigrant-visa-applicants-can-interview) - [EU Entry/Exit System Explained](https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/entryexit-system/) - [Canada Issues European Travel Advisory](https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/france-joins-greece-italy-austria-netherlands-spain-ireland-and-more-as-canada-issues-cautionary-travel-advisory-amid-new-visa-constraints-growing-scams-and-unpredictable-travel-conditions-in/)