Major Travel Restrictions Continue to Impact International Travelers in November 2025
International travelers face significant new restrictions and documentation requirements as of November 2025, with major policy changes affecting travel to the United States, European Union, and United Kingdom. The most impactful changes include the ongoing U.S. travel ban affecting 19 countries, Europe's newly launched Entry/Exit System (EES), and comprehensive UK visa rule reforms that took effect in November.
These restrictions represent some of the most substantial changes to international travel policies in recent years. Travelers planning trips should review requirements carefully and allow extra time for visa processing and border clearance.
US Travel Ban Remains in Effect for 19 Countries
The Trump administration's travel ban, which took effect on June 9, 2025, continues to restrict entry for nationals from multiple countries citing national security concerns.
- Complete Ban (12 Countries): Afghanistan, Myanmar (Burma), Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen face full entry suspension
- Partial Restrictions (7 Countries): Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela face limited entry and enhanced visa scrutiny
- Visa Processing Changes: Since November 1, 2025, immigrant visa applicants must attend interviews in their country of nationality or long-term residence
- Potential Expansion: 36 additional countries have been given 60 days to meet administration requirements or face new restrictions
The ban only applies to foreign nationals outside the U.S. who were not issued a visa before June 8, 2025. If you're already in the United States, regardless of your immigration status, these restrictions do not affect you.
Europe's Entry/Exit System Now Operational
The European Union officially launched its biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) on October 12, 2025, fundamentally changing how travelers enter the Schengen Area.
- Biometric Requirements: All travelers must provide fingerprints and facial scans at border crossings upon first entry
- Digital Records: Physical passport stamps are being phased out in favor of electronic entry/exit records
- Processing Times: Expect longer wait times at borders during the initial rollout period across 30 Schengen countries
- ETIAS Coming: The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will launch in late 2026, requiring pre-travel authorization
- Fee Structure: ETIAS will cost €20 for travelers aged 18-70, valid for three years or until passport expiration
Travelers should arrive at European borders earlier than usual to accommodate the new biometric screening process. The EES system is designed to enhance security while streamlining border management across the European Union.
Who Is Affected by These Travel Restrictions
The November 2025 travel restrictions impact different traveler groups in specific ways. Understanding which category applies to you is essential for proper travel planning.
For US Visa Applicants
If you're applying for a U.S. visa from one of the 19 affected countries, you face either complete entry suspension or enhanced scrutiny requirements. Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) and individuals with valid visas issued before June 8, 2025, are exempt from the ban. Dual nationals can travel using passports from non-designated countries.
For European Travel Planning
All non-EU nationals traveling to Schengen Area countries must now complete biometric enrollment at border crossings. First-time visitors should allocate an additional 10-15 minutes for fingerprint and facial scanning. Your biometric data will be stored for three years, making subsequent entries faster.
For UK Visa Seekers
The UK's November 2025 reforms significantly change visa eligibility standards. Skilled Worker visa applicants must now demonstrate English language proficiency at CEFR B2 level, up from previous requirements. Palestinian nationals and Botswana nationals now require visas before travel, reversing previous visa-free arrangements.
How to Prepare for New Travel Requirements - Step by Step
Follow these essential steps to ensure compliance with the latest travel restrictions and avoid delays or denied entry.
- Check Your Country's Status: Verify whether your nationality is affected by current travel bans or restrictions at official government websites
- Review Visa Requirements: Confirm visa requirements have not changed for your destination, as many countries updated policies in October-November 2025
- Prepare Biometric Data: For European travel, ensure your passport is valid and be ready to provide fingerprints and facial scans at borders
- Update Travel Documents: Verify your passport photo meets current requirements and renew documents at least 6 months before expiration
- Allow Extra Processing Time: Submit visa applications early to accommodate new interview requirements and longer processing times
- Verify Exemption Status: If you believe you qualify for exemptions (dual nationality, existing visa, permanent residence), gather supporting documentation
Important Dates and Timeline for Travel Restrictions
Mark these critical dates to stay compliant with international travel requirements throughout late 2025 and early 2026.
- June 9, 2025: U.S. travel ban took effect for 19 countries, remains active through November and beyond
- October 1, 2025: Revised U.S. interview waiver categories and third-country processing restrictions implemented
- October 12, 2025: Europe's Entry/Exit System (EES) officially launched across Schengen Area
- November 1, 2025: New U.S. visa interview location requirements took effect for immigrant visa applicants
- November 2025: UK visa rule changes including new language requirements and country-specific restrictions activated
- Late 2026: ETIAS authorization system expected to become operational, with mandatory compliance by 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Green Card Holders Affected by the US Travel Ban?
No, lawful permanent residents (green card holders) are exempt from the U.S. travel ban regardless of their country of nationality. You can travel freely using your green card even if you're from one of the 19 restricted countries. The ban only affects foreign nationals outside the U.S. seeking new visas.
How Long Does Europe's Biometric Screening Take?
First-time visitors to the Schengen Area should expect the EES biometric enrollment to add approximately 10-15 minutes to border crossing times. Once your fingerprints and facial scan are recorded, the data remains valid for three years, making future entries much faster. Peak travel times may experience longer delays during the system's initial rollout phase.
Can I Still Travel to Europe Without ETIAS in November 2025?
Yes, ETIAS is not yet required for travel to Europe in November 2025. The ETIAS authorization system is scheduled to launch in late 2026, with a six-month grace period before it becomes mandatory. Currently, only the Entry/Exit System (EES) biometric requirements are in effect, which collects traveler data at borders but does not require pre-travel authorization.
What Happens If My Visa Application Was Approved Before the Travel Ban?
If you received visa approval but had not yet been issued the physical visa before June 8, 2025, your visa will likely be denied under the current travel ban. However, if you received your actual visa document before June 8, 2025, you are exempt from the ban and can travel to the U.S. Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate where you applied for specific guidance on your case.
Do UK Visa Changes Apply to Tourist Visitors?
The November 2025 UK visa changes primarily affect work visas, student visas, and specific nationalities. Palestinian nationals and Botswana nationals now require visit visas for tourism, while most other tourist visa policies remain unchanged. However, all visa applicants face new suitability assessments and potentially stricter documentation requirements under the unified standards implemented in November 2025.
What You Need to Know About Current Travel Restrictions
The travel restriction landscape has fundamentally changed in 2025, with enhanced security measures, biometric requirements, and nationality-based entry limitations now standard across major destinations. Travelers must adapt to longer processing times, additional documentation requirements, and new technologies at border crossings. The U.S. travel ban remains active with potential expansion, Europe's biometric system is now operational, and the UK has implemented comprehensive visa reforms.
Before booking international travel, verify current requirements for your specific nationality and destination. Ensure your passport photo meets current requirements for visa applications, as outdated or non-compliant photos are a leading cause of processing delays. Additionally, consider checking visa photo specifications for your destination country to avoid rejections. Staying informed about these evolving travel restrictions will help you navigate international travel successfully in this new regulatory environment.