Trump Administration Announces Long-Anticipated Travel Ban

The Trump Administration announced that, effective June 9, 2025, it will implement either a total or partial travel ban restricting entry of individuals from a total of nineteen countries. The rationales for subjecting nationals from these countries to a travel ban relate either to the U.S. country considering the country a state sponsor of terrorism, inadequate screening and vetting procedures, inadequate information sharing and identity management protocols and practices, a high visa-overstay rate, or a failure to cooperate with the U.S. in accepting the return of its nationals who have been determined to be removable from the United States.

Impacted Countries Under the 2025 Travel Ban

The Presidential Proclamation suspends the entry, as either immigrants or nonimmigrants, of nationals of the following countries: 

• Afghanistan 
• Burma 
• Chad 
• Republic of Congo 
• Equatorial Guinea 
• Eritrea 
• Haiti 
• Iran 
• Libya 
• Somalia 
• Sudan 
• Yemen 

The Proclamation further order the partial suspension of entry of nationals from the following countries: 

• Burundi: Suspends entry on B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas. 
• Cuba: Suspends entry on B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas. 
• Laos: Suspension of entry on B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas. 
• Sierra Leone: Suspends entry on B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas. 
• Togo: Suspends entry on B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas. 
• Turkmenistan: Suspends entry on B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas.  
• Venezuela: Suspends entry on B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas.

For HR teams, global mobility managers, and impacted employees, proactive planning is essential.

The travel ban will affect nationals from the countries listed above who are outside of the U.S. on June 9, 2025, AND who do not have a valid visa. Several exemptions exist, including an exemption for lawful permanent residents, diplomats, athletes, and dual nationals traveling on the passport of a country not listed above. Meltzer Hellrung will provide additional guidance shortly. In the meantime, please contact your Meltzer Hellrung professional if you have any questions about the impact of the travel ban on your employees. 

It is essential that employers contact any foreign nationals from one of the listed countries who are outside and advise them to return to the U.S. no later than June 8th.

🔗 Get Guidance:
Visit our full International Travel Advisory for Foreign Nationals (2025) for details on exemptions, action steps, and how to mitigate immigration risk during international travel.

🗂️ Further guidance will be provided as more information becomes available.

Contact Meltzer Hellrung

📨 Have Questions?
If you or your employees may be affected, please contact your Meltzer Hellrung professional or request support here.