Update on Visa Reciprocity
The U.S. Department of State updated its visa reciprocity agreements on July 8, 2025. There have been some changes, but not to all countries. Some countries now reflect shorter validity periods for visa issuance and are for single use only.
If you have already been issued your visa for your current immigration status on or before July 8th, the visa will remain valid for the duration that is listed on the printed sticker/foil. Otherwise, the next time you travel internationally and require a new or renewed visa, the visa will be issued based off the new visa reciprocity schedule.
As a reminder, your immigration status is tied to the Form I-94 arrival record. This document displays the immigration classification, such as F-1 or H-1B, and the admit until date. The admit until date is the authorized stay in the assigned immigration classification listed on the Form I-94. For F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors, the admit until date should reflect “D/S” which stands for duration of status. An H-1B employee would have an actual date listed in the admit until date section. When our office refers to the visa, we are referring to the physical sticker/foil that was placed inside your passport by the U.S. Consulate/Embassy. This document is used for entry purposes only and can expire after you arrive in the U.S. If it expires, that is OKAY. It is the one document that can expire. However, the next time you need to travel internationally, you may be required to obtain a new visa before returning to the U.S.