The United States government has significantly widened its travel restrictions, now affecting citizens of 39 countries with either full or partial bans on entering the country. The expanded policy is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and aims to strengthen national security and tighten immigration controls.
What Does the New US Travel Ban Mean?
Under the updated travel ban proclamation, the US will bar entry for citizens of certain countries altogether, while others will face partial restrictions on visas. These travel limits apply to both immigrant and non-immigrant visas, including tourist, student, and work visas in some cases.
The restrictions do not apply to everyone from these nations. People who already hold valid visas, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), diplomats, and those whose travel is considered in the US national interest are generally exempt from the ban.
Countries Facing a Full US Travel Ban
Citizens of the following countries cannot enter the United States under the expanded travel ban, unless they qualify for an exemption:
- Afghanistan
- Burkina Faso (newly added)
- Mali (newly added)
- Niger (newly added)
- South Sudan (newly added)
- Syria (newly added)
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
- Palestinian Authority passport holders (treated as a banned group)
These countries have been placed on the full ban list due to concerns over security vetting, document reliability, and screening shortcomings, according to the White House.
Countries Under Partial Travel Restrictions
The US has also imposed partial bans on citizens of these countries. This typically means some visa categories are blocked or limited, though not all travel is banned:
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Benin
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Dominica
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Tanzania
- Tonga
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
These restrictions often target specific visas such as tourist (B-2), business (B-1), student (F and M), and exchange (J) categories.
Why the US Expanded the Travel Ban?
The White House says the expanded travel ban is part of a broader effort to protect national security and public safety. Officials cited problems with screening, vetting, and information sharing in the affected countries.
According to the administration, some nations have high visa overstay rates and have historically failed to cooperate on returning removable nationals. The policy is also meant to address concerns about terrorism, criminal records, and deficient identity-management systems.
Who is Exempted From the Ban?
The expanded travel ban does not apply to:
- People with valid US visas before January 1, 2026
- Lawful permanent residents (green card holders)
- Diplomats and officials travelling on official business
- Individuals whose entry is in the US national interest, such as athletes or experts invited for specific roles
What Travellers Need to Know?
If you’re planning to visit the United States soon:
- Check your visa status before travel — existing visas may still be valid.
- Watch for changes after December 31, 2025, when the expansion takes effect.
- Consult consular services for your country’s specific restrictions.
The expanded travel ban reflects the current US policy direction on immigration and border security, and travellers from affected nations should stay informed of updates from official government sources.
