Trump Administration Issues Expanded and Revised Travel Bans

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On December 16, 2025, President Trump issued Presidential Proclamation Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of United States (the “new ban”). The new ban adds countries, modifies some restrictions, and modifies the exceptions to the travel bans that were announced on June 4, 2025.

The new ban takes effect as of 12:01am EST on January 1, 2026, and as with the June 4th travel bans, it provides for a full suspension on entry for nationals of some countries, and a partial restriction for others. We continue to advise all clients to avoid unnecessary international travel and travel at their own risk (and if possible, to be physically present in the U.S. on January 1 when the new ban takes effect).

Full Travel Ban

The full bans suspend entry to the United States on both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas.

  • The new ban continues the full suspension of entry for nationals from the following countries:
    • Afghanistan
    • Burma (Myanmar)
    • Chad
    • Republic of the Congo
    • Equatorial Guinea
    • Eritrea
    • Haiti
    • Iran
    • Libya
    • Somalia
    • Sudan
    • Yemen
  • The new ban adds the following countries to the full suspension on entry:
    • Burkina Faso
    • Laos
    • Mali
    • Niger
    • Sierra Leone
    • South Sudan
    • Syria
    • It also includes individuals using travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Partial Travel Ban

The partial bans restrict entry to the United States on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, and reduces the validity of other nonimmigrant visas (presumably to reciprocity schedule minimums).

  • The new ban continues the partial suspension on entry for nationals of:
    • Burundi
    • Cuba
    • Togo
    • Venezuela
  • The new ban adds the following countries to the partial suspension on entry:
    • Angola
    • Antigua and Barbuda
    • Benin
    • Cote d ‘Ivoire
    • Dominica
    • Gabon
    • The Gambia
    • Malawi
    • Mauritania
    • Nigeria
    • Senegal
    • Tanzania
    • Tonga
    • Zambia
    • Zimbabwe

The new ban removes Turkmenistan from the Partial Travel Ban list for purposes of nonimmigrant visas but continues the ban on nationals of Turkmenistan entering the United States using immigrant visas.

Scope

  • Only applies to those outside the U.S. as of 12:01am EST on January 1, 2026, and do not have a valid visa as of that date.
  • Does not apply to:
    • Lawful permanent residents of the U.S.
    • Any dual nationals of a listed country when the individual is traveling on a passport issued by a country not subject to the travel ban.
    • Any foreign national traveling on the following visas
      A 1, A-2, C-2, C-3, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1, NATO 2, NATO-3, NATO-4, NATO-5, or NATO-6.
    • Athletes, coaches, those in supporting roles, and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event as determined by the Secretary of State.
    • Special Immigrant Visas for U.S. Government employees.
    • IVs for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran.
    • Individuals granted asylum and refugees previously admitted to the U.S.

Removed Exceptions

The new ban eliminates the following categorical exceptions from the June 4th Proclamation:

  • Immigrant visas for family members in the U.S.
  • Adoptions (IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, IH-4)
  • Afghan Special Immigrant Visas

National Interest Exceptions

The new ban provides for exceptions in the national interest based on a determination by the Attorney General, Secretary of State or Secretary of Homeland Security.

Looking to the Future

The Proclamation directs the Secretary of State, Attorney General, Secretary of Homeland Security, and Director of National Intelligence to report to the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security every 180 days on modifications to the travel bans. Notably, the new ban does not mention Egypt, which was specifically referenced in the June 4th Proclamation as a country that might be added to a future travel ban.

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