Client Alert!
The U.S. government has issued a significant expansion of its travel ban and entry restrictions, dramatically increasing the number of affected countries and tightening eligibility for a range of immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. The changes were announced by the Trump administration and are set to take effect January 1, 2026.
The restrictions impact nationals of newly banned or restricted countries seeking visas or travel to the U.S., as well as employers and institutions sponsoring affected workers or students, with exemptions for certain visa holders, lawful permanent residents, diplomats, select national-interest categories, and limited humanitarian cases.
Key Policy Changes
- Travel Ban Expanded: The list of countries subject to either full or partial travel bans has more than doubled, from 19 previously affected nations to a total of 39 countries.
- Full Entry Ban: Nationals of several additional countries — including Syria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and South Sudan — are now subject to a complete prohibition on entry to the U.S. in most categories.
- Palestinian Authority Document Holders: Individuals holding travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority are now fully restricted from entering the U.S. under this proclamation.
- Partial Restrictions: Another 15 countries — such as Nigeria, Senegal, Angola, and others — face partial entry limitations, including restrictions on visitor (B-1/B-2), student (F/M/J), and certain temporary work visas.
Countries/Entities Fully Restricted (NEW ADDITIONS IN BOLD)
- Afghanistan
- Burkina Faso
- Laos
- Mali
- Niger
- Sierra Leone
- South Sudan
- Syria
- Burma
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
- Individuals using travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority
Countries with Partial Entry Restrictions (NEW ADDITIONS IN BOLD)
- Burundi (continued)
- Cuba (continued)
- Togo (continued)
- Venezuela (continued)
- Turkmenistan (partial restriction modified)
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Benin
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Dominica
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Tanzania
- Tonga
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe