The United States has significantly expanded its travel restrictions, increasing the total number of affected countries from 19 to 39. A new presidential proclamation issued on December 16, 2025, adds 20 nations to the list and imposes stricter rules. The policy will take effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on January 1, 2026.
The update represents a major shift in U.S. immigration policy. It broadens a key initiative from the Trump administration's first term. Officials say the move is needed to address national security risks. They cite poor information sharing and screening in the affected countries.
The policy does not apply to everyone. Foreign nationals who are physically in the United States on January 1 are exempt. Those who hold a valid U.S. visa on that date may also keep and use it. No existing visas will be revoked because of the new order.
Full Travel Ban Adds Seven Countries
The proclamation creates two main tiers of restrictions: full and partial bans.
Nineteen countries are now subject to a full suspension. Their citizens cannot receive either immigrant visas (for permanent residence) or nonimmigrant visas (for temporary travel like tourism or work). This list includes 12 nations from the previous June 2025 order.
Seven new countries have been added to this full ban list:
· Burkina Faso
· Mali
· Niger
· South Sudan
· Syria
· Laos (moved from partial restrictions)
· Sierra Leone (moved from partial restrictions)
Additionally, individuals using Palestinian Authority-issued travel documents face a full visa suspension.
The White House gave specific reasons for these full restrictions. For Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, officials pointed to active terrorist groups operating in their territories. Syria was cited for lacking a central authority to issue reliable passports.
High visa overstay rates were a major factor for others. Laos had a 28.34% overstay rate for business and tourist visas. Sierra Leone's rate for student and exchange visas was 35.83%.
Partial Restrictions Impact Nigeria, 18 Other Nations
A second group of 19 countries faces partial restrictions. For these nations, the issuance of all immigrant visas is suspended. The issuance of key nonimmigrant visas is also halted. These include B visas for visitors, and F, M, and J visas for students and exchange visitors.
Fifteen countries are newly added to this partial restrictions list. They are:
· Angola
· Antigua and Barbuda
· Benin
· Cote d'Ivoire
· Dominica
· Gabon
· The Gambia
· Malawi
· Mauritania
· Nigeria
· Senegal
· Tanzania
· Tonga
· Zambia
· Zimbabwe
Four countries from the earlier June order remain under partial restrictions: Burundi, Cuba, Togo, and Venezuela.
Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, is the most prominent name on this list. The U.S. government cited the operations of Boko Haram and the Islamic State within Nigeria. It said these groups create "substantial screening and vetting difficulties". Nigeria's visa overstay rates were also noted.
For nations on the partial list, consular officers are instructed to limit other nonimmigrant visas. This includes visas like H-1B for specialty workers. Officers will reduce their validity to a maximum of three months and a single entry.
The proclamation includes several exemptions. Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) are not affected. Certain diplomats and officials from international organizations are also exempt.
Athletes and support staff traveling for major events like the World Cup or Olympics are exempt. Exceptions exist for those whose travel is deemed to serve U.S. national interest. The White House notes these will be "extremely rare".
However, the new order removes some exceptions that were in the earlier June ban. Notably, exceptions for immediate family members of U.S. citizens have been taken out. Exceptions for adoption-related immigrant visas have also been removed.
The administration said the broad family visa carve-outs carried fraud risks. It stated that family ties have served as vectors for illegal activity in the past.
The official rationale centers on security and information sharing. The proclamation states many affected governments have severe deficiencies. These include unreliable civil documents like birth certificates and widespread corruption. Some countries refuse to share passport data or accept their citizens back from the U.S..
"These restrictions are necessary," the White House stated. They are meant to prevent entry of people the U.S. cannot properly vet. The goal is also to push foreign governments to improve cooperation.
The expansion comes weeks after a high-profile security incident. An Afghan national is accused of shooting two National Guard members in Washington in late November. Administration officials have pointed to this case to justify tighter controls.
The impact will be felt strongly across Africa. Over half of the newly added countries are African nations. This will affect student travel, business exchanges, and family reunification.
For the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) members Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, the full ban may deepen diplomatic tensions. These countries have recently shifted alliances away from Western partners.
Looking Ahead
The order mandates a review every 180 days. The Secretary of State must report on whether restrictions should continue or change. This suggests the list could be modified in the future.
One country, Turkmenistan, saw its restrictions eased. Its ban on nonimmigrant visas was lifted due to productive engagement with the U.S.. It shows progress can lead to a reversal of restrictions.
For now, nationals from the affected countries are advised to check their status. Those with pending U.S. immigration applications may face processing delays. Immigration lawyers urge people to consult with experts to understand the complex rules.
The policy takes effect on the first day of 2026. It sets a new benchmark for U.S. travel and immigration policy. Its reach is now wider than at any point since the first travel bans were introduced.