Major Travel Restrictions Now in Effect for November 2025
International travelers are facing significant new restrictions starting November 2025, with the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union implementing sweeping changes to entry requirements. Effective November 1, 2025, US visa applicants must attend interviews in their country of residence or nationality, marking the end of third-country processing convenience.
These changes come alongside the UK's mandatory Electronic Travel Authorization system and the EU's progressive rollout of biometric border controls. Travelers who fail to comply face delays, denied boarding, and potential entry refusals at international borders.
Key Changes to US Visa Interview Requirements
The most significant policy shift affects where applicants can schedule their visa interviews. Here's what changed on November 1:
- Location Mandate: All immigrant visa applicants must interview at US embassies in their country of residence or nationality only
- End of Third-Country Processing: Applicants can no longer conveniently apply at embassies in other countries for visa renewals
- Limited Exceptions: Humanitarian emergencies, medical situations, or foreign policy reasons may qualify for exemptions
- Protected Appointments: Interviews scheduled before November 1st remain valid and will not be rescheduled
- Health Screening Added: New health-based screening criteria now apply to all visa categories worldwide
This regulation significantly impacts H-1B, E, O, and L visa holders who previously renewed documents at convenient third-country locations. The State Department aims to strengthen vetting procedures and reduce visa shopping across multiple embassies.
Who Is Affected by These Travel Restrictions
The November 2025 travel restrictions impact different traveler groups in specific ways. Understanding your category helps ensure compliance before departure.
For US-Bound International Travelers
Citizens from 19 countries face continued travel bans implemented in June 2025. Full bans apply to Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Partial restrictions affect Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela, specifically blocking F and J visa categories.
For European Travelers to the UK
Starting April 2, 2025, all European Union citizens need a UK Electronic Travel Authorization before boarding flights to Britain. The ETA costs £16, permits multiple six-month stays over two years, and requires biometric data submission. Applications opened March 5, 2025 through the official UK ETA mobile app.
For Non-EU Citizens Visiting Europe
The EU's Entry/Exit System launched October 12, 2025, replacing passport stamps with biometric registration. First-time visitors must provide facial images and fingerprints at border crossings. The digital record remains valid for three years, streamlining subsequent entries across all 29 Schengen countries.
How to Prepare for New Travel Requirements - Step by Step
Avoid travel disruptions by following these preparation steps before your international trip:
- Check Your Passport Validity: Ensure your passport has at least six months validity beyond your planned departure date and blank pages for stamps
- Apply for Required Authorizations: Submit UK ETA applications at least one week before travel (processing takes 3 business days normally)
- Schedule Visa Interviews Correctly: Book appointments only at US embassies in your country of residence or nationality to avoid rejections
- Prepare Biometric Data: Expect to provide fingerprints and facial photos when crossing EU borders under the new Entry/Exit System
- Get REAL ID Compliant Documents: US travelers need REAL ID driver's licenses or passports for domestic flights starting May 7, 2025
- Allow Extra Processing Time: Budget additional weeks for visa processing due to new health screening requirements and stricter vetting
Important Dates and Timeline for Travel Restrictions
Mark these critical deadlines on your calendar to ensure travel compliance:
- November 1, 2025: US visa interview location requirements take effect - no more third-country processing
- January 8, 2025 (Already Effective): US and Canadian citizens need UK ETA to enter or transit through Britain
- March 5-April 2, 2025 (Already Passed): European citizens application period for UK ETA opened and became mandatory
- May 7, 2025 (Upcoming): REAL ID enforcement begins at all US airports for domestic travelers age 18+
- October 12, 2025 (Now Active): EU Entry/Exit System progressive rollout started at Schengen borders
- April 9, 2026: EU passport stamps officially end as Entry/Exit System becomes fully operational everywhere
Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Restrictions
Do I Need a UK ETA If I'm Just Transiting Through London?
Yes, if you pass through UK border control during your connecting flight. Travelers who remain airside without clearing immigration do not currently need an ETA, but this may change. Each traveler including children and babies needs an individual £16 ETA linked to their passport, valid for multiple trips over two years.
Can I Still Renew My US Work Visa at a Convenient Embassy Location?
No, the November 1st rule change ended third-country visa processing convenience. You must now interview at the US embassy in your country of legal residence or citizenship. Limited exceptions exist for humanitarian emergencies or specific foreign policy situations, but routine renewals no longer qualify for third-country appointments.
What Happens If I Travel to Europe Without Registering for EES?
You'll be required to register at the border crossing, causing delays. The EU Entry/Exit System captures your biometric data (fingerprints and facial photo) during your first entry after October 12, 2025. This digital record replaces passport stamps and remains valid for three years, making future Schengen crossings faster once registered.
Do Green Card Holders Need to Worry About US Travel Bans?
No, lawful permanent residents (green card holders) are explicitly exempt from the 19-country travel bans implemented in June 2025. The restrictions only apply to foreign nationals outside the United States who don't already hold valid visas on the effective date. Current visa holders can continue using their existing documents.
What You Need to Know Before Your Next Trip
The November 2025 travel restrictions represent the most significant border control changes in years, affecting millions of international travelers. Compliance isn't optional - travelers without proper documentation face denied boarding, entry refusals, and expensive trip cancellations.
Start preparations early by applying for required authorizations well before your departure date. When planning international travel, always verify current entry requirements and ensure your passport photo meets official government specifications for visa and travel authorization applications. These new restrictions emphasize the importance of proper documentation and advance planning for all international trips.