On December 16, 2025, the White House issued a Presidential Proclamation expanding U.S. travel restrictions on foreign nationals from twenty additional countries. The Administration cites national security, visa overstay data, deficient security vetting systems, and lack of cooperation with U.S. immigration enforcement as the grounds for the changes. Several of the countries also offer Citizenship by Investment programs that do not have a specific residency requirement, which affects the thoroughness of screening and vetting processes.  

All changes are effective as of January 1, 2026. 

COUNTRIES SUBJECT TO FULL ENTRY RESTRICTIONS 

• The Proclamation continues full travel bans for nationals of: Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. 

• It adds full restrictions for: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria. 

• Laos and Sierra Leone are elevated from partial to full restrictions, and individuals traveling on Palestinian Authority–issued travel documents are now subject to a full entry suspension. 

COUNTRIES SUBJECT TO PARTIAL RESTRICTIONS 

• Partial restrictions now apply to nationals of: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. 

• Partial restrictions also continue for Burundi, Cuba, Togo, and Venezuela. 

NOTABLE CHANGE: TURKMENISTAN 

The Proclamation lifts nonimmigrant visa restrictions for Turkmenistan, citing improved cooperation and identity management. Immigrant visa restrictions remain in place. 

EXCEPTIONS AND WAIVERS 

• Lawful permanent residents of the United States are not subject to the entry bans, nor are individuals who already hold valid visas as of the effective date.  
• Certain visa categories—such as those for diplomats, international organization employees, and athletes participating in major sporting events, are also exempt. 
• The Proclamation also preserves case-by-case national interest waivers, allowing entry where an individual’s admission would serve U.S. national interests.  
• However, the Administration explicitly narrows previously broad family-based immigrant visa carve-outs, citing fraud risks while maintaining discretionary authority to issue national interest exemptions. 

WHAT THIS MEANS 

These expanded restrictions will add a full U.S. travel ban on nationals of five additional countries, as well as those traveling with documents issued by the Palestinian Authority. It also adds full travel bans to nationals of two countries that had been subject to partial restrictions and imposes new partial restrictions on nationals of fifteen countries. 

The restrictions will significantly impact foreign nationals from these countries, their U.S. employers, universities, and families in the United States. Where partial bans apply, applicants should expect heightened scrutiny and significantly longer processing times. 

HOW MELTZER HELLRUNG CAN HELP 

Meltzer Hellrung can advise individuals and employers on the scope of the expanded travel ban, its impact on pending nonimmigrant and immigrant visa processing and waiver eligibility issues. Should you have any questions about how the expanded travel ban will affect your workforce, please contact your Meltzer Hellrung professional.  

 

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