On December 16, 2025, President Trump signed a new proclamation expanding U.S. travel restrictions on people from certain foreign countries. The changes take effect on January 1, 2026 and add several countries to a full travel ban, while placing partial restrictions on others. The administration stated that expansion is needed due to national security concerns, weak vetting systems, and high visa overstay rates.
Officials highlighted high visa overstay rates as a significant issue, noting that travelers from certain countries were more likely to remain in the United States beyond the terms of their B-1/B-2 visas. They also raised concerns about weak vetting systems in some countries, pointing to problems like handwritten or incomplete civil records and Citizenship-by-Investment programs that could make it easier to avoid proper background checks. In addition, the proclamation made the rules stricter for some family-based immigrant visas. It reduced certain exceptions because of concerns that these visa types could be more easily misused or involve fraud.
Countries Under a Full Travel Ban
This full ban suspends entry to the U.S. on both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas:
Previously Banned (unchanged):
Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
Newly Added:
Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Syria.
Special Category:
Individuals traveling on documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority are now fully barred from entry.
Countries Under Partial Travel Ban
Nationals of the countries below face a partial ban, which generally blocks immigrant visas and certain nonimmigrant visas (B-1, B-2, F, M, and J). For any other nonimmigrant visa types not explicitly suspended (such as work visas like H-1B or L-1), Consular officers are now directed to reduce the validity of these visas. However, the full impact of this change is still unclear.
Newly Added:
Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Still Restricted:
Burundi, Cuba, Togo, and Venezuela.
Turkmenistan Update:
Restrictions on nonimmigrant visas for Turkmenistan have been lifted due to improved cooperation, but immigrant visas remain restricted.
Who Is Not Affected?
The restrictions mainly apply to individuals outside the U.S. who do not have a valid visa on January 1, 2026. Important exceptions include:
• Green Card Holders: Lawful permanent residents are not affected.
• Existing Visa Holders: Visas issued before January 1, 2026, remain valid.
• Dual Citizens: Travelers using a passport issued by a country not subject to the travel ban
• Diplomatic and NATO Visas: Certain official visa categories remain exempt.
• Athlete or member of an athletic team: Athlete, the coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup, Olympics
• Humanitarian Groups: Certain asylees, refugees already admitted, or those seeking protection under the Convention Against Torture
National Interest Exceptions:
The new ban allows for exceptions in cases deemed to be in the U.S. national interest, as determined by the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, or the Secretary of Homeland Security. These determinations are made on a case-by-case basis, and the details of the procedure have not yet been disclosed.
What to Expect Next
This travel ban will be reviewed and modified every 180 days. Notably, Egypt is not included in the current ban, although it was referenced in the June 4 proclamation (10949) as a country that could be added to a future ban.
Furthermore, on December 2, 2025, the administration placed a hold on the adjudication of pending immigration benefit requests for individuals from the countries listed in the June 4 Proclamation (10949). We have also received anecdotal reports of interviews being canceled for nationals of affected countries. Although the new proclamation is silent on this issue, it is highly likely that adjudications will be placed on hold for individuals from the newly added countries. However, the full extent of how the travel bans may impact adjudications for these individuals remains unclear. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.
U.S. travel bans and visa restrictions are highly complex and can change with little notice. If you may be affected—particularly if you are planning international travel, applying for a visa, or pursuing a family-based petition—it is critical to seek guidance from a qualified immigration attorney. The experienced team at Global Immigration Legal Team is ready to help you understand your options and make informed decisions before you travel or file, protecting your rights and your future.
If you believe you may benefit from this type of legal support, please contact Yang-Kyoung (Lou) Nam, Esq. or call our office at (610) 975-4599 to schedule a consultation today.
Be sure to mention this article when reaching out for your consultation.
Associate Attorney
Practice Areas: Business Immigration, Family Immigration, and U.S. Citizenship