Dear travelers, students, families, and professionals, this post is a reminder that immigration rules can change quickly. Its important to always check the latest requirements before making plans, and seek trusted guidance if you’re unsure.
The U.S. government has updated entry restrictions for people from certain countries. The aim, according to officials, is to improve national security and public safety by limiting entry from places where background checks and identity verification are difficult.
Some countries were already on the restriction list, and those rules remain in place. The new announcement adds several more countries after recent reviews. In addition, people travelling with certain travel documents and citizens of some countries now face either full or partial limits when applying to enter the United States.
Why is this travel ban/restriction happening?
U.S. authorities say that in some countries:
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Birth records, passports, or criminal records are unreliable or incomplete
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Governments do not share enough information with U.S. authorities
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Visa overstays are high
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There are security concerns linked to crime, instability, or extremist activity
These factors make it harder for U.S. officials to properly check who is entering the country.
It’s important to note that not everyone is affected. Many people are exempt, including:
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Green card holders
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People who already have valid visas
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Diplomats, athletes, and certain special cases
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Individuals approved through case-by-case waivers
You can view the full ban list here.
Countries with full travel ban/restrictions:
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Afghanistan
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Burkina Faso
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Burma
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Chad
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Equatorial Guinea
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Eritrea
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Haiti
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Iran
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Laos
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Libya
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Mali
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Niger
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Republic of the Congo
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Sierra Leone
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Somalia
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South Sudan
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Sudan
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Syria
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Yemen
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Individuals travelling on Palestinian Authority issued or endorsed travel documents are also subject to a full suspension of entry
Partial restrictions:
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Angola
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Antigua and Barbuda
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Benin
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Burundi
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Côte d’Ivoire
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Cuba
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Dominica
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Gabon
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The Gambia
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Malawi
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Mauritania
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Nigeria
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Senegal
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Tanzania
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Togo
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Tonga
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Venezuela
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Zambia
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Zimbabwe
Special case:
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Turkmenistan (restrictions remain for immigrants but have been lifted for non-immigrant visas)
At Passports Beyond Borders, we’re here to help you stay informed and plan your journey with confidence. Book your journey with us here.
References
Disclaimer
The content published on this website (including articles, blog posts, guides, and any other materials) is for general informational purposes only. It is provided by Passports Beyond Borders in good faith, but should not be construed as formal legal, immigration, financial, tax, or professional advice. We encourage you to always consult with a qualified, regulated immigration lawyer, solicitor, or licensed immigration professional (such as an immigration consultant, where applicable) before making any decisions related to visa applications, employment, travel, or residency.
