Effective early July 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) reduced visa validity for many countries, significantly altering its visa reciprocity schedule, leading to a reduction in the validity and number of entries for various nonimmigrant visas across over 50 countries in Africa, Asia, and including Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela. This change primarily impacts B, F, H, J, M, and O visa categories, with many now limited to a 3-month validity and single entry.
Key Points of the Reciprocity Changes:
Basis for Change: As mandated by INA 221(c) and INA 281, the DOS sets visa validity, entries, and fees based on the reciprocal treatment afforded to U.S. citizens by the respective foreign governments. The DOS maintains online visa reciprocity schedules for each country for which it issues visas.
Affected Visa Categories: The changes broadly apply to B (visitor for pleasure or business), F (student), H (temporary worker, including H-1B, H-2A, H-2B and H-3), J (exchange visitor), M (vocational student), and O (extraordinary ability) visas.
Widespread Impact: While over 50 countries are affected, the specific limitations vary. Many countries now face a blanket 3-month/single-entry restriction across all listed visa categories. Some countries have more nuanced changes, with certain visa types having different validities or entries (e.g., Cambodia, China, Laos, Libya).
Non-Retroactive Application: Visas issued before the July 8, 2025 reciprocity revisions remain valid under their original terms. For example, visas issued to Nigerian citizens before July 8, 2025, retain their initial validity.
Undisclosed Updates:NAFSA (Association of National Educators) noted that as of July 15, 2025, the official “Reciprocity: What’s New” page on the DOS website had not been updated to reflect these widespread changes, requiring stakeholders to monitor individual country reciprocity tables.
Laos (subject to a partial travel ban) (F-1 = “6 months, multiple entry visas – $40.00 /or 3 months single entry visas – no fee; B, F-2, J, M, O = 3 months / 1 entry)
Libya (subject to a full travel ban) (O = 1 month / 1 entry; B, F, J, and M = 3 months / 1 entry)
Papua New Guinea (B-2 = 6 months / 1 entry; O = 3 months / 1 entry)
Madagascar (B limited to 3 months / multiple entries; F, H, J, M, O limited to 3 months / 1 entry)
It’s important to note a significant overlap between the countries affected by these reciprocity changes and those subject to Presidential Proclamation 10949 of June 4, 2025, which imposed “full” or “partial” travel bans effective June 9, 2025.
Full Travel Ban Countries (12 nations): These countries, including Afghanistan, Burma/Myanmar, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, face a complete suspension of entry for all immigrant and nonimmigrant categories. Even with a reciprocity schedule, individuals from these nations would require a rare waiver to obtain a visa.
Partial Travel Ban Countries (7 nations): For these countries—Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela—the ban suspends B, F, M, and J visas. Furthermore, consular officers are directed to reduce the validity of other nonimmigrant visas to the extent permitted by law.
Stakeholders are advised to consistently check the specific country reciprocity tables on the DOS website for the most current information.
Malescu Law can assist
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Anda Malescu is a US immigration lawyer and Florida Bar Board Certified Expert in International Law. A member of the elite category of Florida Bar lawyers recognized for her exceptional knowledge, skill and professionalism, she advises US and international clients, including investors and entrepreneurs, on business immigration and corporate law matters. She holds a JD degree from University of Miami School of Law and a Master's degree in Economics and Business from Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands. She is a member of the Florida Bar.
