Under the Trump administration, the US immigration policies have undergone several updates for 2025 in a bid to strengthen US borders, streamline application processing, and prepare for the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games. Due to these additional regulations, travelers will need to meet more immigration requirements and face tighter screening in order to enter the US visa from Thailand this year.
In this article, we will cover the latest US immigration updates for 2025, planned changes that are not yet in effect, and how they might affect visa applicants from Thailand. This includes the proposed travel ban that could significantly complicate all future US visa applications, or even prevent individuals of certain nationalities from entering the US altogether.
US Non-Immigrant Visa Application DS-160 Form Made Mandatory
All travelers applying for a US non-immigrant visa (such as the US Tourist Visa, US K1 Visa, and US Student Visa) are now required to complete the DS-160 form before booking an interview at the US Embassy or Consulate in Thailand. The DS-160 is an electronic visa application form that gathers information on the applicant, including their travel plans, background, and eligibility for the US visa they are applying for.
In some cases, when renewing a US visa, applicants may be required to submit a newly completed DS-160 form.
The US Department of State claims that these updates to the DS-160 form will strengthen security measures and streamline the process, with the most noticeable changes for 2025 being:
- Enhanced Security Measures: Applicants may now be required to provide additional information regarding their social media history, past travel records, and previous visa applications.
- Updated Digital Photo Standards: New, stricter specifications have been introduced for digital photos.
- Improved Processing System: Upgrades to the online portal have improved application tracking and reduced submission times.
- Integrated Appointment Scheduling: Certain US embassies and consulates now offer appointment scheduling directly after submitting the DS-160 form.
Additionally, it is important to note that if the confirmation/barcode number of the DS-160 form does not match the one used to book the US interview appointment, the applicant will no longer be allowed to attend the interview.
Interview Waiver Program Updated
The US Department of State has also updated the categories of applicants who may be eligible for the Interview Waiver Program. This program allows applicants who have previously held non-immigrant visas (such as the US Tourist “B” Visa) to skip the in-person interview at the US embassy or consulate, as they have already completed the interview as part of their first application.
Before the 2025 update, applicants could skip the interview with a waiver if their previous visa expired within 48 months. Now, that window has been reduced to 12 months, as the US has narrowed the interview waiver policy for non-immigrant visa applications.
This change affects citizens, including those of Thailand, who previously held US non-immigrant visas such as the B1 or B2. If their previous visa has expired for more than 12 months, they must attend an in-person interview, even if they are applying for the same visa type. To be eligible for the interview waiver, applicants must also meet all of the following conditions:
- Apply for the same visa category that was previously issued
- Submit their application in their country of nationality or residence
- Have never been denied a visa, unless that denial was later resolved or waived
- Have no apparent or potential ineligibility
It is important to note that consular officers still have full discretion to require an interview for any reason. Even if every eligibility requirement is met for the Interview Waiver Program, applicants may still be called in to attend an interview. The new rules have also given consular officers more room to reject waiver requests, which means fewer people will qualify compared to previous years.
Sex Marker Rules for Passports Updated
According to a memo issued by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, titled “Guidance for Visa Adjudicators on Executive Order 14201: ‘Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,’” all transgender individuals seeking entry into the US are now subject to newly implemented visa policies.
The directive specifically targets transgender athletes. However, its broad language suggests that it may also apply to other visa categories, including business, academic, and tourist visas. Transgender applicants whose passport sex markers differ from their sex assigned at birth may face heightened scrutiny during the visa process. If a consular officer has “reasonable suspicion” that an applicant’s sex does not align with their sex assigned at birth, the visa may be denied.
In such cases, consular officers may request additional documentation, such as a birth certificate, which can cause delays or disrupt travel plans.
However, this policy applies only to individuals who are required to obtain a visa for US entry, and the citizens of the 42 countries eligible for the US Visa Waiver Program will likely not be subject to these new rules.
Unfortunately, this does not include Thailand. Thai citizens must get a US visa before entering, so transgender citizens of Thailand will likely face increased scrutiny and delays at the border. So it is recommended that they bring copies of official documentation proving identity when traveling to the US.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement Removed
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has removed the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for individuals seeking the Adjustment of Status to become US permanent residents. As a result, proof of COVID-19 vaccination is no longer required for immigration medical examinations related to Adjustment of Status applications pending on or after January 20, 2025.
But until the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updates Form I-693, civil surgeons may either cross out the section for COVID-19 vaccination or mark it as “N/A” when conducting the applicant’s medical examinations.
New Travel Ban Under Consideration
The implementation of a newly proposed travel ban that could impact the citizens of up to 43 countries is currently under consideration. Unlike President Trump’s initial travel ban in 2017, this proposal contains broader restrictions, includes countries that were previously unaffected (such as Haiti and Belarus), and places a greater emphasis on improving security and vetting procedures.
The affected countries of the new travel ban will be divided into three categories:
- Full Visa Suspension (Red Category): Citizens of these countries would be prevented from traveling to the US for any purpose, whether it be for tourism, business, or education. The countries include:
- Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen
- Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen
- Partial Visa Suspension (Orange Category): Citizens of these countries could face partial suspensions, which would affect all US visa applications. The countries include:
- Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Turkmenistan
- Probationary Period (Yellow Category): These countries are given 60 days to address concerns regarding security and vetting processes. If these concerns aren’t addressed, these countries could experience partial visa suspensions. These countries include:
- Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Vanuatu, and Zimbabwe
Though Thailand is not included in this draft, the list of countries above remains fluid and is subject to final approval. Furthermore, it is still unclear how this new travel ban will affect future US visa applicants, as no additional information has been provided at the time of writing. And finally, Thai citizens who frequently visit the above countries or transit through them en route to the US may face additional scrutiny during visa applications or entry.
The plan for the new travel ban is still in flux, so it is advised to follow and stay informed of its development. Consulting with a US immigration specialist can help with gaining a better understanding of what to expect and the options available to Thai citizens.
Professional Assistance With Traveling To the US From Thailand
If you or your travel companions are Thai citizens planning to enter the US in 2025 and are uncertain as to how you should navigate these new immigration requirements, get in touch with Siam Legal International.
We are a full-service law firm and visa consultancy in Thailand with over 20 years of experience in helping clients enter the US smoothly and swiftly, with a proven track record of having facilitated over 10,000 successful US visa applications.
Our team of US immigration specialists is led by an American lawyer and equipped with the knowledge and skills to guide you through each US travel regulation. We can also assist you with applying for the US visa that best suits your needs, so you can focus on making the most out of your time in the US free of immigration-related concerns.
With Siam Legal by your side, you will have all the required documents for your US visa application gathered, prepared, and submitted on your behalf. We will also provide you with coaching to help you successfully pass the visa interview at the US Embassy in Bangkok or the consulate in Chiang Mai.
For professional assistance with US immigration or visa applications, do not hesitate to contact Siam Legal to book a consultation!
