The end of the year is a busy time, with many foreign national employees traveling in and out of the U.S. for the holidays. Follow these tips to best prepare for the hectic holiday travel season to ensure a smooth experience.

1. Due to the holiday season, U.S. consulates abroad are busy; be aware of potential delays and factor in additional processing times for visa issuance.
2. Seek any necessary approval for international travel from your employer and notify immigration legal counsel before and after international travel for communication on any delays due to visa issues and contingency planning for your absence.
   1. This also means that visa appointments should be booked well in advance, as end-of-year slots fill up quickly.
   2. Consider using “third-country national processing” at U.S. consulates which may issue visas at their discretion. Confirm with U.S. consulate prior to your travel and visa appointment.
3. Remember to remain flexible regarding any international travel. Procedures change periodically and we always encourage you to visit the appropriate U.S. Consulate’s website to determine the current application procedure, required documents, and timeframes.
4. Check passport expiration dates prior to any international travel. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your authorized period of stay in the United States. If not, if possible, renew your passport prior to travel.
5. Ensure that your visa stamp is valid prior to any international travel. If your visa...

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