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US Expands Travel Restrictions to 39 Countries Starting January 2026

December 18, 2025 4:47 am

US Expands Travel Restrictions to 39 Countries Starting January 2026

Starting January 1, 2026, the United States will enforce a new travel ban affecting visa issuance for individuals from 39 countries. This update will clarify who is impacted, who is exempt, and what to consider before planning international travel.

Overview of the New Travel Ban

A new proclamation from US President Donald Trump will expand existing travel restrictions. This updated ban will either block or limit visa issuance for individuals from these designated countries, including those traveling on Palestinian Authority documents. If you possess a valid visa or are in the United States by January 1, the ban will not affect you.

Key Elements of the Travel Ban

The proclamation categorizes countries into different groups:

Full Visa Ban: For 19 countries, the US will cease all immigrant and non-immigrant visa issuance. This includes visas for:

B (Tourism)
F and M (Student)
J (Exchange Visitor)

One country, Turkmenistan, has relaxed some restrictions, allowing its nationals to apply for non-immigrant visas.

Fully Restricted Countries

Currently, 13 countries are fully restricted under the existing travel ban, which remains unchanged. These countries are:

Afghanistan
Iran
Libya
Somalia
Sudan
Yemen
Haiti
Several others

The new rules will add seven more countries to this fully banned list:

Burkina Faso
Mali
Niger
Laos
Sierra Leone
South Sudan
Syria

Individuals using Palestinian Authority travel documents will also face these restrictions. Visa issuance for these individuals will occur only under rare exceptions.

Partially Restricted Countries

Nineteen additional countries will encounter different limitations. Individuals from these nations cannot receive immigrant visas or categories B, F, M, or J. Affected countries include:

Angola
Cuba
Nigeria
Venezuela
Zimbabwe

For other visa types, consulates still may issue visas, but with limited validity, often restricted to single entry and only for a few months.

Exemptions from the Ban

While exemptions exist, the list is now more concise. Individuals are exempt if they:

Are in the United States on January 1, 2026
Hold a valid visa as of January 1
Are US permanent residents
Carry dual nationality and travel on a non-restricted passport
Are diplomats or specific government officials
Are athletes or support staff for major sporting events
Qualify for a distinct national interest exception

Implications for Travelers

If you hail from any affected countries and plan to travel, pay attention to timing. Individuals who can legally enter the US before January 1 should consider doing so, as the rules will change. If you possess a visa, you can still utilize it, but you might face additional screening.

Those with lawful status in the United States on January 1 could eventually apply for new visas, although the process remains uncertain. Recent reports indicate that US officials have paused processing immigration applications for people from travel-ban countries, affecting all individuals born in these regions, regardless of their current nationality.

Conclusion

The United States will evaluate the travel ban list every 180 days, allowing for potential updates. These rules are set to take effect on January 1 and will significantly influence travel and immigration. If you or anyone you know falls under these new restrictions, early advice and careful travel planning will be essential.