The United States currently bans or restricts travel from 39 countries under Presidential Proclamation 10998, which took effect on 1 January 2026. If you hold a passport from one of these nations — or travel on Palestinian Authority–issued documents — your ability to enter the US on a new visa is either fully or partially suspended.
Below is the complete, up-to-date list of banned countries, the visa categories affected, who is exempt, and what you can do if you’re from a restricted nation planning to travel to the United States.
What Is the US Travel Ban 2026?
On 16 December 2025, President Trump signed Presidential Proclamation 10998, expanding the previous travel ban that had been in force since June 2025. The original ban covered 19 countries; the expanded version more than doubled that to 39 countries plus Palestinian Authority document holders.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Effective date: 1 January 2026, 12:01 a.m. EST
- Countries affected: 39 (19 fully banned, 20 partially restricted)
- Legal basis: Presidential Proclamation 10998, issued 16 December 2025
- Who it applies to: Nationals of listed countries who were outside the US on 1 January 2026 and did not hold a valid US visa on that date
- Existing visa holders: Not affected — valid visas issued before 1 January 2026 remain usable
The proclamation states that these restrictions are based on national security vetting concerns and high visa overstay rates from the affected countries. The ban does not revoke any visas that were valid before the effective date.
Full List of Countries on the US Travel Ban 2026
The ban divides affected countries into two categories: full suspension (all visa types blocked) and partial suspension (specific visa categories blocked). Here’s the complete breakdown.
Fully Banned Countries (19 Countries + PA Documents)
Nationals of these countries face a complete suspension of all immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. No new visas — tourist, student, work, or any other category — are being issued.
| Country | Region | Restriction |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | South Asia | Full ban — all visas |
| Burkina Faso | West Africa | Full ban — all visas |
| Burma (Myanmar) | Southeast Asia | Full ban — all visas |
| Chad | Central Africa | Full ban — all visas |
| Republic of the Congo | Central Africa | Full ban — all visas |
| Equatorial Guinea | Central Africa | Full ban — all visas |
| Eritrea | East Africa | Full ban — all visas |
| Haiti | Caribbean | Full ban — all visas |
| Iran | Middle East | Full ban — all visas |
| Laos | Southeast Asia | Full ban — all visas |
| Libya | North Africa | Full ban — all visas |
| Mali | West Africa | Full ban — all visas |
| Niger | West Africa | Full ban — all visas |
| Sierra Leone | West Africa | Full ban — all visas |
| Somalia | East Africa | Full ban — all visas |
| South Sudan | East Africa | Full ban — all visas |
| Sudan | North Africa | Full ban — all visas |
| Syria | Middle East | Full ban — all visas |
| Yemen | Middle East | Full ban — all visas |
| Palestinian Authority documents | Middle East | Full ban — all visas |
Partially Banned Countries (20 Countries)
Nationals of these countries face a partial suspension. For most, the following are blocked: immigrant visas, B-1/B-2 tourist and business visas, F and M student visas, and J exchange visitor visas. Work visas (H, L, O, P, R categories) generally remain available but may have reduced validity periods.
| Country | Region | Visas Suspended |
|---|---|---|
| Angola | Southern Africa | Immigrant + B, F, M, J |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Caribbean | Immigrant + B, F, M, J |
| Benin | West Africa | Immigrant + B, F, M, J |
| Burundi | East Africa | Immigrant + B, F, M, J |
| Côte d’Ivoire | West Africa | Immigrant + B, F, M, J |
| Cuba | Caribbean | Immigrant + B, F, M, J |
| Dominica | Caribbean | Immigrant + B, F, M, J |
| Gabon | Central Africa | Immigrant + B, F, M, J |
| The Gambia | West Africa | Immigrant + B, F, M, J |
| Malawi | Southern Africa | Immigrant + B, F, M, J |
| Mauritania | West Africa | Immigrant + B, F, M, J |
| Nigeria | West Africa | Immigrant + B, F, M, J |
| Senegal | West Africa | Immigrant + B, F, M, J |
| Tanzania | East Africa | Immigrant + B, F, M, J |
| Togo | West Africa | Immigrant + B, F, M, J |
| Tonga | Pacific Islands | Immigrant + B, F, M, J |
| Turkmenistan* | Central Asia | Immigrant visas only |
| Venezuela | South America | Immigrant + B, F, M, J |
| Zambia | Southern Africa | Immigrant + B, F, M, J |
| Zimbabwe | Southern Africa | Immigrant + B, F, M, J |
*Turkmenistan is a special case: only immigrant visas are suspended. Nonimmigrant visas (tourist, student, work) remain available for Turkmen nationals.
Who Is Exempt from the US Travel Ban?
Not everyone from a banned country is automatically blocked from entering the US. Several important exemptions apply.
Existing Visa Holders
If you held a valid US visa before 1 January 2026, you can still use it to travel to the United States. The proclamation explicitly states that no visas issued before the effective date will be revoked. This applies to all visa types — tourist, student, work, and immigrant.
Green Card Holders
Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) are fully exempt from the travel ban, regardless of their nationality. However, travellers from the 19 fully restricted countries may face enhanced screening and additional biometric checks at the border.
Dual Citizens
If you hold citizenship in both a restricted and a non-restricted country, you may travel on your non-restricted passport. The ban applies based on the travel document used, so presenting a passport from a non-listed nation exempts you from the restrictions.
Case-by-Case Waivers
The Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Secretary of Homeland Security can grant individual exceptions for travellers whose entry serves a US national interest. Additional categorical exceptions exist for:
- Athletes, coaches, and support staff travelling for the FIFA World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting events — plus their immediate relatives
- Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders who worked for the US government
- Iranian ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution, applying for immigrant visas
The 75-Country Immigrant Visa Processing Freeze
In addition to the 39-country travel ban, the US Department of State announced a separate visa processing freeze on 14 January 2026, pausing all immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries. This freeze took effect on 21 January 2026 and remains in place with no announced end date.
How This Differs from the Travel Ban
The 75-country freeze is not a travel ban — it specifically affects immigrant visa processing only (visas that lead to green cards). Tourist visas and other nonimmigrant categories are not affected by this particular policy. The stated reason is to reassess procedures for determining whether applicants are likely to use public benefits.
Countries on the 75-Country Freeze
This list includes many countries not on the 39-country travel ban, such as Brazil, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Russia, and Thailand, among others. India is not on this list. Applicants from these countries may still submit applications and attend interviews, but final visa issuance is paused indefinitely.
For a full list, check the US Department of State’s official announcement.
What Should You Do If You’re Affected?
If you’re from a restricted country and planning to travel to or through the US, here are your practical next steps.
Check Your Visa Status
If you already hold a valid US visa issued before 1 January 2026, it remains valid. You can continue travelling to the US under its terms. Verify your visa status through the US Department of State’s CEAC portal.
Explore Alternative Travel Documents
Dual citizens should consider travelling on a passport from a non-restricted country. The ban applies based on the travel document used at entry, not your complete nationality profile.
Consider Transit Implications
If you’re transiting through the US to reach destinations like Canada or Mexico, you’ll still need a valid US visa or transit authorisation. Affected travellers may want to book alternative routes that avoid US airports — many airlines offer connections through Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, or London instead.
Seek Legal Advice
If you believe you qualify for a waiver or exception, consult an immigration attorney. Case-by-case national interest waivers exist but require formal application through the US government.
You can search and compare flights to New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and other US cities on Wego to explore your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the travel ban apply if I already have a valid US visa?
No. If your visa was valid before 1 January 2026, it remains usable. The proclamation does not revoke previously issued visas.
Can I still apply for a US work visa from a partially banned country?
In most cases, yes. The partial ban primarily blocks immigrant visas, B-1/B-2 tourist visas, F/M student visas, and J exchange visitor visas. Work visa categories like H-1B, L, O, and P are generally still available, though processing times and validity periods may be affected.
Are US citizens or green card holders from banned countries affected?
US citizens are not affected at all. Green card holders are exempt from the ban but may face enhanced screening at US ports of entry.
What’s the difference between the 39-country ban and the 75-country visa freeze?
The 39-country travel ban (Proclamation 10998) blocks multiple visa categories. The 75-country freeze is a separate policy that pauses only immigrant visa processing (green card applications) while the government reviews public charge assessments.
Is there an end date for the travel ban?
No specific end date has been announced. The proclamation remains in effect until the President issues a new proclamation modifying or revoking it.
Sources
- The White House — Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Further Restricts and Limits the Entry of Foreign Nationals
- US Department of State — Suspension of Visa Issuance to Foreign Nationals
- Congressional Research Service — Expanded “Travel Ban” to Take Effect January 1, 2026
- NAFSA — Proclamation of December 16, 2025 Travel Ban Effective January 1, 2026
- US Department of State — Immigrant Visa Processing Updates for Nationalities at High Risk of Public Benefits Usage
- US Customs and Border Protection — Presidential Proclamation 10998 Implementation Bulletin
- Immigration Policy Tracking Project — Proclamation 10998
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
