Changes to Visa Reciprocity for Some Countries—Visa durations shortened and limited to single-entry

The Department of State (DOS) has changed its visa reciprocity schedule for a number of countries. The visa reciprocity schedule sets forth the maximum validity period, number of entries, and fee schedule for all non-immigrant visas. This is done for each and every country. You can access the reciprocity schedule at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country.html

The DOS has not yet updated its “Reciprocity: What’s New?” page on its website to articulate these changes: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees/reciprocity-whats-new.html

A number of country reciprocity schedules for non-immigrant visas will reduce validity dates to three months (in some cases to one month) and to single entry visas. This does not impact visas already issued to foreign nationals. It is important for individuals to review the reciprocity schedule to understand the constraints of a visa that will be issued.

The countries facing changes to their reciprocity schedule are listed below. Most notably for our clients, China O-1 visas are limited to 3-month duration and single-entry visas, which appears to implement the following: https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/05/new-visa-policies-put-america-first-not-china/

Afghanistan

Angola

Benin

Bhutan

Burkina Faso

Burma/Myanmar

Burundi

Cabo Verde

Cambodia

Cameroon

Chad

China - (O visas only = 3 months / 1 entry)

Comoros

Cote D'Ivoire

Congo, Republic of

Congo, Democratic Republic of

Cuba

Eritrea

Ethiopia

Equatorial Guinea

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea-Bissau

Haiti

Iran

Kyrgyzstan

Laos

Libya

Papua New Guinea

Madagascar

Malawi

Micronesia

Nauru

Niger

Nigeria

Palau

Sao Tome and Principe

Sierra Leone

Somalia

South Sudan

Sudan

Syria

Tanzania

Timor-Leste

Togo

Tonga

Turkmenistan

Tuvalu

Uganda

Vanuatu

Venezuela

Yemen

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Lastly, even if a country is not on this list, consular officers may, at their discretion, issue visas for shorter durations and/or single entry, so visa applicants should double check their visa stamps after issuance.