A new U.S. Presidential Proclamation dated December 16, 2025 expands the list of nationalities subject to entry restrictions under the new U.S. Travel Restrictions, with the changes taking effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on January 1, 2026.
The measures matter for a wide range of travelers—especially international students and exchange visitors, because the policy explicitly targets several non-immigrant categories, including F, M, and J visas in the “partial” restriction framework.
What “Full” vs. “Partial” U.S. Travel Restrictions Mean
The proclamation draws a line between two tiers of limitations:
- Full suspension: entry is suspended for covered nationals as immigrants and non-immigrants. A broad ban affecting tourism, study, and other travel.
- Partial suspension: entry is suspended for covered nationals as immigrants, and also as non-immigrants specifically in B-1/B-2 (visitor), F (academic student), M (vocational student), and J (exchange visitor) categories; other visa types may still be possible but can face reduced validity.
Scope: the restrictions generally apply to covered nationals who are outside the United States and do not hold a valid U.S. visa on the effective date; the proclamation also lists categorical exceptions and case-by-case waivers. For example, lawful permanent residents and certain other classes.
US Travel Ban List – 19 Countries under “full suspension”
The latest proclamation adds seven countries to the “full suspension” tier and also addresses Palestinian Authority travel documents—see below.
Continued full-suspension countries (12)
- Afghanistan
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
Newly added to full suspension (7)
The December 16 proclamation expands the full ban to include:
- Burkina Faso
- Laos
- Mali
- Niger
- Sierra Leone
- South Sudan
- Syria
Two of these—Laos and Sierra Leone—were previously in the partial-restriction group and are now treated as fully suspended under the new order.
US Travel Restrictions List- 19 Countries under “partial suspension”.
The proclamation keeps four countries under partial restrictions and adds 15 more.
Continued partial-suspension countries (4)
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Togo
- Venezuela
Newly added to partial suspension (15)
These countries are newly designated for partial restrictions—meaning immigrant entry is suspended, and B/F/M/J categories are suspended for covered nationals:
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Benin
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Dominica
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Tanzania
- Tonga
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Special case: Turkmenistan – Immigrant-only Suspension
Turkmenistan is treated differently from the other partially restricted countries. Under the updated approach summarized by higher-education mobility experts, Turkmenistan remains subject to an immigrant-entry suspension, while the proclamation’s B/F/M/J suspension is lifted for Turkmenistan (though other restrictions may still apply in practice depending on consular processing).
Additional restriction: Palestinian Authority Travel Documents
Separate from country nationality lists, the proclamation states that entry is fully suspended for individuals traveling on Palestinian Authority-issued or endorsed travel documents, subject to the proclamation’s exceptions and waivers.
A strong geographic tilt toward Africa and some Caribbean impact.
Reporting on the expansion notes that many of the newly affected countries are in Africa, particularly within the added partial-restriction list, and that the policy has drawn criticism and concern about diplomatic, educational, and commercial ties.
Reuters coverage also highlights significant concern in the Caribbean over the inclusion of countries such as Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, citing potential knock-on effects for travel, education, and family connections.
Why these countries were included in the US Travel Ban List?
The proclamation’s stated rationale centers on U.S. security, including concerns about identity-management and information-sharing deficiencies, along with references to visa overstay rates as supporting justification.
Frequently Asked Questions
A U.S. presidential proclamation dated December 16, 2025 imposes “full” and “partial” entry suspensions for certain nationalities, effective 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on January 1, 2026.
This FAQ is written for tourists and business visitors (typically B-1/B-2 travel) and is general information—not legal advice.
Which countries are under “full suspension” (effectively a full U.S.A Travel Ban)?
Under the proclamation, entry is fully suspended for nationals of the countries mentioned above.
Practical impact for visitors: If you are a national of a “full suspension” country and you are covered by the scope of the proclamation, you should assume you cannot enter the U.S. for tourism/business unless an exception or waiver applies.
What does “partial suspension” mean for visitors?
For “partial suspension” countries, the proclamation suspends entry as immigrants, and also suspends entry on B-1, B-2, and B-1/B-2 visas (along with F/M/J), while directing consular officers to reduce visa validity for other non-immigrant categories where permitted.
Practical impact for visitors: If you’re a national of a partially restricted country, B-visa travel is suspended unless you qualify for an exception/waiver.
Who is actually covered by the US Travel Restrictions?
The proclamation states the suspensions apply only to designated nationals who:
- Are outside the United States on the effective date, and
- Do not have a valid visa on the effective date.
I already have a valid U.S. visa. Will it be revoked?
The proclamation says no immigrant or nonimmigrant visa issued before the effective date shall be revoked pursuant to the proclamation.
Separately, the scope language indicates the suspensions target those who do not have a valid visa on the effective date.
Important caveat: Having a visa is not the same as having a guaranteed right of entry; U.S. border officials still make admissibility decisions at the port of entry.
I’m from a listed country but I’m already inside the U.S. on January 1, 2026. Do I have to leave?
The scope is framed around people outside the U.S. on the effective date.
It does not, by itself, order current visitors to depart. However, leaving and trying to re-enter may create new risk, especially if you do not have a valid visa for re-entry.
Are lawful permanent residents (green card holders) affected?
No. Lawful permanent residents are explicitly exempt.
What if I have dual citizenship?
Dual nationals are exempt when traveling on a passport issued by a country not designated in the proclamation.
Are any visa categories automatically exempt from US Travel Restrictions?
The proclamation lists exemptions for certain diplomatic/official classifications (including A, G, C-2/C-3, NATO classes), among others.
Are waivers possible for visitors?
Yes. The proclamation provides for case-by-case exceptions where travel would serve a U.S. national interest, with discretion residing with the Attorney General, Secretary of State, or Secretary of Homeland Security (depending on the pathway).
Practical takeaway: Waivers are possible but are typically narrow, evidence-heavy, and not guaranteed.
If I’m from a “partial suspension” country, can I still visit on a different non-immigrant visa type?
Possibly, depending on your circumstances and visa type—but the proclamation directs consular officers to reduce the validity of other nonimmigrant visas for partially restricted nationals “to the extent permitted by law.”
For purely tourism/business purposes, however, B visas are explicitly suspended under partial restrictions.
Does this affect transiting through the U.S. on the way to another country?
The proclamation is framed in terms of “entry into the United States.”
Because U.S. transit generally involves inspection/admission formalities, travelers should assume transit may be impacted and confirm directly with their airline and the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate before booking.
How often can these US Travel Ban lists change?
The proclamation calls for a review/reporting cycle within 180 days and every 180 days thereafter, with the possibility of continuing, terminating, modifying, or supplementing restrictions.
What should I do before making plans?
Identify whether your nationality is under full or partial suspension and whether you meet the scope conditions (outside the U.S., no valid visa on Jan 1, 2026).
If you already have a visa, verify it is still valid and aligns with your purpose of travel; keep in mind it won’t be revoked solely due to this proclamation.
If you need a new visa, assume B visas are unavailable for partially restricted nationals and most non-immigrant travel is unavailable for fully suspended nationals, absent an exception/waiver.
Consult the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate for case-specific advice, especially if you believe you qualify for an exemption or national-interest waiver.
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