Trump Administration Expands Travel Ban

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Trump Administration Expands Travel Ban

December 17, 2025

On December 16, 2025, President Trump signed a new Presidential Proclamation expanding the travel restrictions originally announced in June 2025. See the White House’s fact sheet here. This updated proclamation builds on the policy described in our prior post, June 2025 Travel Ban: What You Need to Know; however, many countries have been added to the ban, and other countries were elevated from a partial to a full ban. Importantly, this ban preserves the exemption for Lawful Permanent Residents (as well as the other categories that were exempted by the June ban), though (as before) it does apply to those attempting to enter on Immigrant Visas.

Countries Subject to Full Travel Restrictions

The original 12 countries that were hit with full travel restrictions in June will continue to be subject to those restrictions. In addition, five new countries, plus anyone travelling under Palestinian Authority documents, were added to the list. Finally, two countries were moved from partial to full restrictions. Nationals of these countries face full restrictions on entry into the United States (baring the exceptions noted below):

Full Restrictions Maintained

Afghanistan
Burma (Myanmar)
Chad
Republic of the Congo
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Haiti
Iran
Libya
Somalia
Sudan
Yemen

Full Restrictions Introduced

Burkina Faso
Mali
Niger
South Sudan
Syria
Palestinian Authority*

*The ban falls on anyone travelling under documents issued by the Palestinian Authority, regardless of nationality.

Restrictions Elevated to Full (previously only partial)

Laos
Sierra Leone

Countries Subject to Partial Travel Restrictions

The new policy maintains partial entry restrictions for several countries, and adds 15 more new countries to the partial restriction category. Nationals from affected countries cannot enter the U.S. on any immigrant visa (family- or employment-based), or on B-1, B-2, F, M, or J visas. Applicants for visas in other nonimmigrant categories may see those visas issued with reduced validity periods.

Partial Ban Maintained

Burundi
Cuba
Togo
Turkmenistan*
Venezuela

*Restrictions were lifted on nonimmigrant visas for Turkmen nationals, though entry on immigrant visas remains restricted.

Partial Ban Introduced

Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Benin
Côte d’Ivoire
Dominica
Gabon
The Gambia
Malawi
Mauritania
Nigeria
Senegal
Tanzania
Tonga
Zambia
Zimbabwe

No countries saw their level of restriction reduced from full to partial, and no countries saw their restrictions lifted entirely.

Exemptions and Practical Considerations

The new policy removes an important exemption for the immediate family of U.S. citizens. In the June 2025 proclamation, the immediate family of U.S. citizens were fully exempt, meaning the spouse, children, and parents of U.S. citizens could still enter the U.S. on a valid visa, even if they were from a country that had full or partial restrictions. The December policy revokes that blanket exemption, and instead requires immediate family members to apply for a National Interest Exemption (NIE). NIEs are not automatic or guaranteed, and require an affirmative determination that the individual’s entry serves the U.S. national interest, or falls within specifically identified humanitarian, family unity, or public-interest grounds.

As with the June 2025 travel restrictions, the updated policy includes some important exemptions. Individuals who may still enter the United States despite country restrictions include:

U.S. lawful permanent residents (green card holders).
Dual nationals who use a passport from a non-restricted country when entering.
Travelers holding valid visas in specified exempt categories (e.g., A, G, NATO).
Specialized nonimmigrant visa holders, including H, L, O, P, and Q visa holders
- Please note that these applications for these visas are likely to receive increased scrutiny, and may be issued with reduced validity periods. See more below.
Individuals whose entry is determined to serve U.S. national interests.
Certain family-based immigrant categories, athletes, diplomats, and other specially enumerated groups.

Additional Details for Specialized Nonimmigrant Visa Holders and Applicants

As stated above, those in specialized nonimmigrant statuses (e.g. H, L, O, etc.) may see reduced validity periods on their nonimmigrant visas, and can expect additional scrutiny during the visa application process. In addition, USCIS is attempting to enforce additional vetting on these foreign nationals during the processing of I-129 petitions (i.e. petitions to change or extend the status of those already in the United States) by issuing Requests for Evidence related to security concerns.

TAGS: Travel Ban