Thanksgiving Travel Rush 2025: Essential Tips for Visa Holders

(UNITED STATES) Airports and highways are bracing for a record-setting Thanksgiving travel rush in 2025, with the busiest days expected on Wednesday, November 26, and Sunday, November 30. Travel experts say crowds will exceed pre-pandemic levels, and officials warn of longer security lines and tighter checks that will hit visa holders and international travelers hardest. Thanksgiving Day falls on Thursday, November 27, and agencies expect millions to move through major hubs just before and just after the holiday.

“Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday for travel, and this year we’re expecting to set new records across the board, from driving to flying and cruising,” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. The expected swell has direct consequences for noncitizens, who often face extra screening, document questions, and limited access to consular help if issues arise mid-journey.

Why this Thanksgiving will be especially busy

Transportation analysts point to a perfect storm of factors driving congestion: strong demand, fewer off-peak options, and compounding congestion through the week.

• “Drivers should follow traffic apps and local news alerts to avoid major delays…especially in metropolitan areas like Boston, New York, LA, Seattle, and Washington, DC, where traffic is expected to be more than double what it typically is on a normal day,” said Bob Pishue, an INRIX analyst.
• At airports, Sunday, November 30 is set to be the pressure point, following last year when more than 3 million passengers were screened in a single day. Officials expect this year to surpass that mark, with long TSA and CBP lines from early morning through late evening across the United States 🇺🇸.

Recommended travel timing and what to expect

Travel planners say the window from Wednesday through Monday will require extra time at every step.

• Wednesday, November 26: Volumes forecast as extremely high. Travelers are advised to arrive at least three hours early for international flights.
• Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving Day): Likely moderate overall, with morning departures moving faster than later flights.
• Saturday, November 29: Start of the return wave.
• Sunday, November 30: Peak return day—expect heavy delays and long queues.
• Monday, December 1: Still heavy as late returners avoid the Sunday crush.

Airlines will push alerts through apps, and airports are expanding staff at critical checkpoints, but queue times can vary widely by terminal and time of day.

Special considerations for noncitizens and visa holders

The travel surge intersects with immigration rules that do not pause for the holiday. Travelers on F-1, H-1B, L-1, B1/B2, or with Green Cards should double-check documents and carry printed copies in addition to digital versions.

Key document recommendations:
– Students: Confirm that Form I-20 has a valid travel signature within the allowed window and bring proof of enrollment (transcripts or an official letter). DHS provides an overview at: Form I-20 overview.
– Workers (H-1B, L-1): Carry recent pay slips, an employment verification letter, and Form I-797, Notice of Action. USCIS information: Form I-797, Notice of Action.
– Green Card holders: Carry the Green Card itself; if an absence may exceed six months, consider a valid Re-entry Permit.

Important legal cautions:
– Leaving the U.S. while a change-of-status or extension is pending can be treated as abandonment of the application.
– An approved I-797 allows a worker to remain in valid status in the U.S., but it does not permit re-entry after an international trip if the visa stamp in the passport is expired—unless the traveler qualifies for Automatic Visa Revalidation.
– Virtual consular appointments and DS-160 steps follow the consulate’s local time, not U.S. time zones. The nonimmigrant visa application is at: Form DS-160.

Re-entry, I-94, and short trips to Canada/Mexico

• Short trips of fewer than 30 days to Canada 🇨🇦 or Mexico 🇲🇽 can qualify for Automatic Visa Revalidation if the traveler’s I-94 and status remain valid. This option does not apply in every case and does not cure an expired status.
• Travelers should check and print their most recent arrival/departure record via CBP: I-94 website.
• Confirm the I-94 expiration date before departure—errors can affect re-entry and are hard to fix during a holiday weekend when most offices are closed.

Consulate hours, visa stamping, and bookings

• Airfares during Thanksgiving week often spike. Agencies warn of 30–40% fare increases for late bookings.
• Consulates abroad may close on Thursday and, in some locations, Friday—pushing visa stamping appointments into the following week and reducing room for error.
• India–U.S. routes: India’s large diaspora increases demand. Travel agencies in India report fare increases of 30–40% for late November bookings to the U.S., with heavy traffic through New York, Newark, San Francisco, and Chicago.
• U.S. consulates in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata may observe both U.S. and Indian holidays, delaying appointments into December.

Visa logistics to watch:
– Dependents (H-4, L-2, F-2): Carry their own visas and copies of the principal’s approval or I-20.
– Students: I-20 travel signatures usually must be within the last 12 months, or 6 months for those on OPT.
– Workers: Avoid changing employers or filing amendments right before travel, as these can invite extra scrutiny.

Airport and on-the-ground tips

• CBP Mobile Passport Control and Global Entry remain the fastest legal ways through arrivals for eligible travelers. Mobile Passport details: Mobile Passport Control.
• Pack snacks and essential medication in carry-ons—food lines can be long and kiosks may close early on the holiday.
• Airport security may unwrap wrapped gifts during screening. Packing gifts unwrapped can avoid delays.
• For domestic travel, a passport or Real ID-compliant state ID is recommended. Immigration lawyers advise keeping core visa documents in a carry-on, not checked luggage.
• For drivers: check the validity of a state driver’s license, especially after recent moves or status changes.

Operational closures and service impacts

• USCIS field offices: Closed on Thursday, November 27; normal operations resume Friday.
• U.S. embassies and consulates abroad: Closed Thursday and some on Friday; many reopen Monday, December 1.
• CBP operations: Open 24/7, but expect longer secondary inspection waits.
• Postal and courier services: Pause on Thursday; delays common on Friday as backlogs clear.

How to reduce risk and stress

Experts recommend building slack into your itinerary and being prepared for contingencies.

Top practical steps:
1. Arrive early — two hours for domestic flights, three hours for international.
2. Allow longer layovers (three to four hours) for international connections or likely immigration transfers.
3. Keep printed copies of key documents in addition to digital versions.
4. Use Mobile Passport, Global Entry, and airline apps for real-time updates.
5. Pack essentials (medication, documents, snacks) in a carry-on.
6. For students and visa holders: verify signatures, enrollment proof, pay slips, and I-797 forms before departure.

“An earlier flight that avoids the noon crush, a longer layover that saves a sprint across terminals, a printed packet of documents ready for a CBP officer’s questions” — small decisions can make a big difference during peak travel.

Final takeaway

With so many moving parts, preparation is crucial. For visa holders and international travelers, readiness isn’t just about saving time—it’s about staying in compliance during the most crowded travel week of the year. Officials continue to stress flexibility and caution: anticipate delays, keep documents accessible, and plan extra time at every step.