The 2024-25 winter holiday travel season is expected to be one of the busiest on record, with an estimated 790 million people traveling internationally. In addition to key reminders like checking passport and visa validity expiration dates, the following are recommendations from BAL’s Global and Consular Program and Government Strategy teams that foreign nationals can use for their travel planning.

For U.S. Citizens: Enroll in the U.S. State Department’s updated Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

The State Department launched the new version of its Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) on Sept. 16, 2024. STEP is a free service provided by the State Department for U.S. citizens and foreign nationals to enroll their trip abroad. This enables the State Department to make contact in case of an emergency.

Enrollees can also sign up to receive country-specific travel alerts about health, weather, safety and security in a country. The online process takes about 20 minutes to complete and involves signing in or creating a new account here and filling in basic personal information, trip details for any upcoming trips and alert preferences.

Information can be updated for every trip abroad. Those with a previous STEP account need to reenroll in the updated program.

For foreign nationals (non-U.S. citizens): Be aware of recent changes in U.S. appointment portals

Although appointment availability is improving, not all U.S. embassies and consulates adjudicating visas will be able to accommodate quick turnarounds.

Within the last three months, multiple consulates or country groups have transitioned to a new U.S. portal that travelers can access to set up an account, pay fees and book a visa interview appointment slot. There are several portals, depending on filing country, that travelers must access. BAL recommends starting your process at www.ustraveldocs.com.

When picking a date on the appointment portal, consider the length of processing time it will take the government to issue a new visa. During the holidays, visa issuance can take 7-10 days or even longer. Travelers are encouraged to secure updated and valid documents as early as possible or before setting travel dates.

For foreign nationals (non-U.S. citizens): Check validity dates for visas, passports and other U.S. immigration documents

It is vital to check the expiration dates on U.S. immigration documents, especially visas and passports, months ahead of planned trip dates. Depending on your visa classification, other documents may be required when returning to the U.S. after a trip abroad, and those documents may also have an expiration date. Passports must generally be valid for at least six months. Ensuring all required documents are valid will help avoid being turned away at a U.S. port of entry.

Remember that because government offices will be closed for end-of-year holidays, travel interruptions can become more complicated.

Foreign nationals can visit the State Department’s travel advisory website ahead of departure for more detailed information about potential travel concerns at their destination. BAL is available to assist employers and individuals in need of additional information or more tailored advice and can be contacted here.

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