On December 16, 2025, President Trump issued a revised and expanded proclamation titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States,” which fully or partially bars visa issuance for nationals of 39 countries. The proclamation builds on an earlier Executive Order and identifies additional countries deemed to have deficient screening, vetting and information-sharing systems, posing security and public safety risks to the United States. The proclamation establishes an ongoing government review process to evaluate whether country-specific restrictions should be continued, modified, lifted, or expanded.
The expanded travel ban applies only to nationals of the below-listed countries who:
- Are outside of the United States on January 1, 2026; and
- Do not have a valid visa on January 1, 2026.
Effective January 1, 2026
- Full entry restrictions, under which nationals are barred from both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa issuance, will apply to nationals of 12 countries - Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. The new proclamation adds the following 7 countries to the full restriction list: Burkina Faso, Laos (previously “partially restricted”), Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone (previously “partially restricted”), South Sudan, and Syria - as well as individuals holding travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority.
- Partial new entry restrictions, suspending immigrant visa issuance and nonimmigrant visa issuance (for temporary visitors, students, and exchange visitors in B, F, M and J classifications), will apply to nationals of 19 countries - Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The proclamation also directs consular officers to reduce the validity period of any visa issued to nationals of these countries in a non-suspended nonimmigrant classification (such as H-1B or L-1). Turkmenistan has some restrictions lifted under the new travel ban. Nationals of Turkmenistan may be issued any type of nonimmigrant visa, but immigrant visa issuance will continue to be suspended, unless eligible for a travel ban exception.
Foreign Nationals Exempt from the Extended Travel Ban
Subject to limited exceptions, the revised travel ban applies only to nationals of the impacted countries who are outside the United States on January 1, 2026, and do not hold a valid visa on that date. Individuals from the impacted countries currently holding valid visas may continue to use those visas for travel to the United States. The proclamation expressly states that existing visas will not be revoked as a result of the proclamation. However, such travelers may be subject to enhanced screening at ports of entry and potential confusion regarding the scope of applicable exemptions.
The proclamation provides exemptions for:
- Foreign nationals who are present in the United States on January 1, 2026
- Foreign nationals who hold a valid visa in any category as of January 1, 2026
- U.S. lawful permanent residents (green card holders)
- Dual nationals traveling on a passport issued by a non-designated country
- Other exceptions, including specific immigrant and nonimmigrant visa categories for: certain athletes, coaches, essential support personnel, and immediate relatives; certain diplomats and officials of foreign governments and international organizations; Special Immigrant Visas based on qualifying U.S. government service; ethnic or religious minorities facing persecution in Iran; and individuals whose travel is deemed to serve the U.S. national interest.
Notably, the proclamation removes exceptions for certain types of immigrant visas, including Immediate Relative immigrant visas, adoption-related immigrant visas, and Afghan Special Immigrant Visas.
Key Takeaways
- Caution is advised when planning international travel; employers and nationals of countries covered by the revised travel ban should assess with PLG counsel whether they are subject to the new restrictions.
- Foreign nationals who are newly affected by the restrictions should return to the United States prior to January 1, 2026.
- Individuals from the impacted countries currently holding valid visas may continue to use those visas for travel to the United States.
Please contact PLG’s Immigration Team with any questions.
