Bechtel's Scholar Travel Update for Spring - January 28th, 2025
Dear International Scholars,
As we look forward to the spring travel period, we are beginning to receive questions about international travel. This message contains some travel and visa issuance guidance for your consideration.
As per the Executive Order issued on January 20th, we know that some immigration policies have recently changed, which could impact our international community over the next few weeks and months. (See specifically section 2B).
We encourage you to assess your own individual tolerance for risk as you make decisions about international travel over spring and beyond. Keep in mind that visa appointments at U.S. consulates and embassies may be backlogged and the visa issuance process may be delayed. If you have questions about an expired visa stamp in your passport, please send an email to internationalscholars@stanford.edu
As always, it will continue to be important to have your documents in order when you travel internationally:
For H-1B visas
- Your original H-1B approval notice ( I-797)
- Three recent paycheck stubs
- Valid passport
- Valid visa stamp
For J visas
- DS-2019 is printed and signed with a valid travel signature
- Valid passport
- Valid visa stamp
We anticipate more immigration changes in the weeks and months to come and will be monitoring the situation closely. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Please also review Bechtel’s webpage on travel for general visa and travel information.
Bechtel International Center
