Traveling outside the U.S.? Essential documents every U.S. visa holders must carry while traveling

Indian Green Card holders and visa applicants are facing increased scrutiny at U.S. ports of entry and consulates, sparking concerns over travel delays and the risk of losing legal residency. Reports indicate that some Green Card holders undergo extended secondary inspections by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), often lasting over two hours. In several cases, elderly travelers have allegedly been pressured mid-flight or at airports to sign Form I-407, effectively surrendering their U.S. permanent residency voluntarily.
At the same time, visa processing at U.S. consulates has slowed significantly. H-1B and F-1 visa renewals are now taking between four to six months, with many applicants caught in administrative processing despite prior approvals. Administrative processing can leave applicants in uncertainty for indefinite periods, delaying their return to the U.S.
See more: US H-1B lottery 2026: What next for selected and non-selected applicants
Recent policy changes have altered visa application procedures, increasing challenges for certain applicants. The newly implemented “beneficiary-centric” H-1B lottery system led to a 38.6% decline in registrations for the fiscal year 2025, reducing selection opportunities for first-time applicants. Moreover, the widely utilized Dropbox waiver—once accessible for numerous visa renewals—now applies only to those renewing the same visa type within a 12-month period.
Adding to concerns, U.S. Vice President JD Vance recently stated that “a Green Card does not give indefinite residency rights,” fueling uncertainty among lawful permanent residents.
Visa enforcement has become increasingly stringent under Operation Aurora, a program initiated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to scrutinize and revoke visas of individuals associated with organizations deemed “pro-terrorist.” While the policy is presented as a national security measure, its implementation has disproportionately affected pro-Palestinian activists, raising concerns among advocacy groups about potential overreach and freedom of expression issues. The program has led to visa cancellations and increased scrutiny of individuals with perceived affiliations to such groups, impacting their ability to remain in or travel to the United States.
At the same time, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an important update concerning immigration case records. The agency set a deadline of March 20, 2025, after which older case files will be permanently removed from its system. This policy change impacts both applicants and employers who depend on these records for visa renewals, status changes, or future extensions.

Also read: U.S. F-1 Visa update: Why are international students in the U.S. asked to self-deport?
Certain groups of visa and Green Card holders face a higher risk of complications when traveling:

Additional category-specific documents include a Labor Condition Application (LCA) and Form I-129 for H-1B visa holders, SEVIS Form I-20 with a recent travel signature for F-1 students, and a Re-entry Permit for Green Card holders who have been outside the U.S. for over a year.
With increasing travel restrictions and stricter enforcement, immigration experts advise non-citizens to avoid non-essential travel, file visa renewals well in advance, and keep both digital and physical copies of all important documents to prevent disruptions.