LATEST NEWS ALERT: Administration Issues Travel Ban - (06/05/25 -- UPDATED 1/16/26)
Update on 1/16/26
On January 14, 2026 the U.S. Department of State announced it would be suspending processing for immigrant visas for applicants from 75 countries, effective January 21. Exceptions include dual nationals with a valid passport for a country not on the list or if the applicant is able to demonstrate their travel would service an “America First” national interest. If a visa has already been approved but the visa has not been printed, consular officers have been instructed to refuse the case. These 75 countries have been selected because the Administration has deemed its citizens may rely on U.S. government benefits for basic needs. The countries subject to an immigrant visa pause are:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Myanmar, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, North Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Yemen
While this list of 75 countries is not said to be pausing U.S. visitor visas, it is important to check the lists below for prior announcements imposing differing restrictions on specific groups of countries since some countries appear on multiple lists.
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Prior to this announcement were bans that had been announced in June and December 2025: USCIS announced in an early-December memo that it would it pause reviewing all pending applications for green cards, citizenship, or asylum from immigrants from 19 countries listed in a June 2025 previous travel ban (see original news item below).
The updated list of countries from June and December already subject to travel bans and restrictions are as follows:
Full ban on travel for citizens of:
Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen
The administration also fully restricted travel on people with Palestinian Authority-issued travel documents.
Partial restrictions (with bans on immigrant visas and nonimmigrant visas such as B-1/B-2 (tourism/business), F (student), M (vocational), and J (exchange) visas) for citizens of:
Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cuba, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan (only immigrant visas banned), Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe
The ban has some exceptions, though it would be prudent to confirm before embarking on travel:
- U.S. lawful permanent residents (green card holders)
- Dual nationals traveling on a passport from a non-restricted country
- Diplomats and certain official travelers
- Athletes, coaches, and essential staff participating in major events like the 2026 World Cup or 2028 Olympics
- Refugees, asylees, and certain special immigrant visa holders
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June 5, 2025
After weeks of speculation, the Trump Administration issued a proclamation Wednesday, June 4, imposing two levels of restriction and limited entry on a number of countries. As of 12:01am Eastern, June 9, 2025, the following will go into effect for foreign nationals of designated countries who are outside of the U.S. and do not have a valid visa.
Full restriction and limitation of entry:
Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
- Already-approved visas for immigrants or nonimmigrants will not be revoked. Future travel will be very limited, with some exceptions for activities proven to advance the national interest of the U.S. There is no clarity about whether arts-related activities could be eligible for a national interest exception.
Partial restriction and limitation of entry:
Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
- Travel by current and future O and P visa holders is permitted, but validity periods may be reduced. Nationals from partially restricted countries will be unable to receive and travel to the U.S. on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas.
There are exceptions to the ban and the full list can be found in the proclamation. Some key examples are:
- Any lawful permanent resident of the U.S.
- Dual nationals traveling on a passport issued by a non-designated country
- Immigrants with immediate family visas specifically for spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of US citizens (IR/CR visas) and clear family ties
- Adoptees under designated visa types
- Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders and US government-related SIVs
- Persecuted minorities from Iran issued immigrant visas
In addition to yesterday’s proclamation restricting entry to the U.S. from designated countries, all visa holders traveling to and working in the U.S. should be aware that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced they are ramping up the review of immigration records and will take immediate appropriate actions to crackdown on visa overstays. It is vital that travelers enter the U.S. in the proper visa classification, perform only approved work, and travel within the approved dates of their visa. Other guidance regarding visa processing and entry can be found in a previous Artists from Abroad news item from March.
This page will update as further information and guidance become available.