Under the Trump administration, US immigration regulations for 2025 were updated several times to strengthen US borders, expedite application processing, and prepare for the 2028 Olympic Games. Because of these additional regulations, travelers entering the US from Thailand this year must meet stricter entry requirements and undergo enhanced screening.

This article informs you about the latest changes to US immigration regulations for 2025, planned but not yet implemented changes, and their potential impact on visa applicants from Thailand. This includes the planned entry ban, which could significantly complicate all future US visa applications or even completely prevent entry into the US for certain nationalities.

US nonimmigrant visa application: DS-160 form now mandatory

All travelers applying for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa (e.g., a tourist visa, a K-1 visa, or a student visa) must now complete the DS-160 form before scheduling an interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Thailand. The DS-160 is an electronic visa application form that gathers information about the applicant, including their travel plans, background, and eligibility for the U.S. visa being requested.

In some cases, when extending a US visa, applicants may be required to submit a newly completed DS-160 form.

The US State Department claims that these updates to the DS-160 form will strengthen security measures and simplify the process, with the most notable changes for 2025 being the following:

  • Enhanced security measures: Applicants may now be required to provide additional information about their social media activity, previous travel, and prior visa applications.
  • Updated standards for digital photos: New, stricter specifications have been introduced for digital photos.
  • Improved processing system: Updates to the online portal have improved application tracking and reduced processing times.
  • Integrated appointment scheduling: Certain US embassies and consulates now offer the option to schedule appointments directly after submitting the DS-160 form.

    • It is also important to note that the applicant will no longer be admitted to the interview if the confirmation/barcode number of the DS-160 form does not match the one used to book the US interview appointment.

    Update to the program for exemption from job interviews

    The U.S. State Department has updated the categories of applicants eligible for the Interview Exemption Program. This program allows applicants who previously held a nonimmigrant visa (such as the U.S. Tourist Visa Category "B") to bypass the in-person interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate, as they already completed the interview as part of their initial application.

    Prior to the 2025 update, applicants could bypass the interview through an exemption if their previous visa had expired within 48 months. This period has now been reduced to 12 months, as the U.S. has tightened the interview exemption rules for nonimmigrant visas.

    This change affects citizens, including Thai nationals, who previously held a U.S. nonimmigrant visa such as a B1 or B2 visa. If their previous visa expired more than 12 months ago, they must appear in person for an interview, even if they are applying for the same type of visa. To be exempt from the interview requirement, applicants must also meet all of the following conditions:

  • Apply for the same visa category that was previously issued to you.
  • They submit their application in their home country or country of residence.
  • I have never been refused a visa, unless the refusal was later overturned or waived.
  • There must be no obvious or potential grounds for exclusion.

    • It is important to note that consular officers can still order an interview at their discretion. Even if all the requirements for the interview exemption program are met, applicants may still be summoned for an interview. The new regulations also give consular officers more leeway in rejecting interview exemption applications, meaning fewer people will meet the requirements compared to previous years.

    Updated rules for gender entry in passports

    According to a memo by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio entitled “Visa Decision-Maker Guidance on Executive Order 14201: ‘Keep Men Out of Women’s Sports’”, all transgender people who wish to enter the US are now subject to the newly introduced visa regulations.

    While the directive is specifically aimed at transgender athletes, its broad wording suggests it also applies to other visa categories, such as business, student, and tourist visas. Transgender applicants whose gender marker in their passport differs from their sex assigned at birth should expect enhanced scrutiny during the visa application process. If a consular officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that an applicant's gender does not match their sex assigned at birth, the visa may be refused. In such cases, consular officers may request additional documents, such as a birth certificate, which could lead to delays or disruptions to travel plans.

    However, this regulation only applies to individuals who require a visa to enter the United States. Nationals of the 42 countries eligible for the US Visa Waiver Program are not expected to be subject to these new rules.

    Unfortunately, this does not apply to Thailand. Thai citizens require a US visa before entering the country, so transgender citizens of Thailand should expect increased checks and delays at the border. It is therefore recommended to carry copies of official identification documents that prove their identity.

    Mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 lifted

    The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has lifted the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for individuals applying for a change of status to obtain permanent residency in the U.S. Therefore, proof of COVID-19 vaccination is no longer required for the medical examinations related to change of status applications processed from January 20, 2025, onward.

    Until the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updates Form I-693, medical examiners conducting the applicant's medical examination can either cross out the COVID-19 vaccination section or mark it "N/A".

    New travel ban under consideration

    The implementation of a newly proposed travel ban, which could affect citizens of up to 43 countries, is currently under review. Unlike President Trump's first travel ban in 2017, this proposal includes broader restrictions, incorporates previously unaffected countries (such as Haiti and Belarus), and places greater emphasis on improved security and vetting procedures.

    The countries affected by the new travel ban are divided into three categories:

  • Full visa ban (Red category): Nationals of these countries are prohibited from entering the USA for any purpose, be it tourism, business travel, or education. These countries include: Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.
  • Partial visa ban (Orange category): Nationals of these countries should expect a partial visa ban that affects all US visa applications. These countries include: Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Turkmenistan.
  • Probationary period (Yellow category): These countries have 60 days to address concerns regarding security and vetting procedures. If these concerns are not addressed, a partial visa suspension may be imposed. These countries include: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Vanuatu, and Zimbabwe.

    • Although Thailand is not included in this draft, the list of countries mentioned above remains preliminary and is still subject to final approval. Furthermore, it remains unclear how the new travel ban will affect future U.S. visa applicants, as no further information was available at the time of publication. Finally, Thai citizens who frequently visit or transit through the aforementioned countries en route to the U.S. may face increased scrutiny during visa application or entry procedures.

    The plans for the new entry ban are not yet finalized, so it is recommended to closely monitor developments. Consulting a US immigration specialist can help to better understand the expected measures and the options available to Thai citizens.

    Professional support for your trip from Thailand to the USA

    If you or your travel companions are Thai citizens and plan to enter the USA in 2025, and are unsure how to deal with these new entry requirements, contact Siam Legal International.

    We are a full-service law firm and visa consultancy in Thailand with over 20 years of experience assisting clients with smooth and fast entry into the USA and a proven track record of over 10,000 successfully processed US visa applications.

    Our team of US immigration specialists is led by an American lawyer and has the necessary knowledge and experience to guide you through all US entry requirements. We are also happy to assist you in applying for the US visa that best suits your needs, so you can enjoy your time in the USA without any worries.

    With Siam Legal by your side, all the necessary documents for your US visa application will be compiled, prepared, and submitted on your behalf. We also offer support to help you successfully pass your visa interview at the US Embassy in Bangkok or the Consulate in Chiang Mai.

    For professional support with US immigration or visa applications, do not hesitate to contact Siam Legal and schedule a consultation!