Expanded Travel Bans and Visa Pauses Under President Trump

 

As immigration attorneys dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate the U.S. immigration system, we’re closely monitoring the rapid changes in travel restrictions and visa policies. In recent months, the U.S. government has introduced significant updates that affect entry from numerous countries. These include new presidential proclamations expanding entry bans and a broad pause on immigrant visa issuances tied to security and public benefits concerns. If you’re from one of the affected countries or sponsoring someone who is, this could impact your plans. Let’s break it down in simple terms.

On December 16, 2025, President Trump issued a proclamation that expanded existing travel restrictions, effective January 1, 2026. This builds on a June 2025 proclamation and now affects nationals from 39 countries, plus individuals using Palestinian Authority-issued travel documents. The goal? To address perceived gaps in how these countries share information for vetting travelers, aiming to protect U.S. national security and public safety.

Here’s how it breaks down:

• Full Suspension of Entry and Visa Issuance: Applies to nationals of 19 countries for most immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. Affected countries include Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.
• Partial Suspension: For nationals of 20 countries, this limits certain nonimmigrant visas (like B-1/B-2 visitor, F/M student, and J exchange visas) and all immigrant visas. Countries include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Exceptions exist for U.S. lawful permanent residents, certain diplomats, and specific cases like major sporting event participants. But for most people, this means no new visas or entry under these categories until the countries improve their cooperation with U.S. vetting standards.

Adding to the complexity, on January 14, 2026, the U.S. Department of State announced a pause on issuing immigrant visas to nationals of 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026. This isn’t a full ban but a temporary halt while the government reviews policies related to “public charge” rules—essentially, assessing if immigrants might rely on public benefits. It’s tied to concerns about high-risk nationalities and their potential impact on U.S. resources.

This pause only affects immigrant visas (like those for family reunification or employment-based green cards). It does not impact nonimmigrant visas, such as tourist (B-1/B-2), student (F-1), or work visas (H-1B, etc.). Processing can continue (e.g., interviews), but no visas will be issued until the review ends. The duration? Indefinite for now, but it’s meant to be a reassessment period.

The 75 countries include many from the travel ban list, plus others. For a full list, see the table below (grouped for readability):

AFRICA:  Algeria, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda

ASIA & MIDDLE EAST:  Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Syria, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Yemen

EUROPE:  Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia

AMERICAS & CARIBBEAN:  Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Uruguay

Note: This is based on official announcements; always verify with the State Department for the exact list.

These measures stem from executive actions emphasizing national security. The government argues that certain countries don’t share enough data for proper background checks, increasing risks of terrorism or other threats. The visa pause also links to “public benefits reliance,” where applicants from high-risk countries face extra scrutiny to ensure they won’t become a financial burden on U.S. taxpayers.

Additionally, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has placed holds on pending applications from these high-risk countries, including adjustments of status or extensions. This means even if you’re already in the process, things might slow down.

• Affected Individuals: Primarily nationals (by birth or citizenship) of the listed countries applying for immigrant visas or entry. Dual citizens or those with citizenship-by-investment might still face issues if tied to a restricted country.
• Not Affected: Nonimmigrant visa holders (e.g., tourists, students, workers) from the 75-country list, unless overlapped with the travel ban. U.S. citizens and green card holders are exempt.
• Exceptions: Case-by-case waivers for humanitarian reasons, national interest, or specific roles (e.g., diplomats). Family-based visas aren’t automatically exempt anymore.

If you’re traveling soon, check your status and avoid international trips that could trigger re-entry issues.

Don’t panic—these policies are under review and could change. Here’s some practical advice:

• Check Your Eligibility: Use the State Department’s website to see if your country is listed and review your visa type.
• Monitor Updates: Policies are reviewed every 180 days, so improvements in country cooperation could lift restrictions.
• Seek Legal Help: If your application is paused or you’re planning to apply, consult an immigration lawyer. We can help explore waivers, alternatives, or appeals.
• Prepare Documentation: For public charge reviews, gather strong evidence of financial self-sufficiency, like affidavits of support or job offers.

At our firm, we’ve helped countless clients through similar policy shifts. Whether you’re reuniting with family or pursuing work opportunities, we’re here to guide you. If these changes affect you, reach out for a consultation. Stay informed, and remember: immigration law is complex, but with the right support, many paths forward exist.