US Expands Travel Restrictions, Adding Seven Nations to Full Ban List

In a significant escalation of immigration policy, the United States has ordered a suspension on all travel from seven additional countries and imposed new entry limitations on nationals from fifteen others. The expansion, enacted by presidential proclamation, brings the total number of nations facing full or partial restrictions to 39.

New Full Travel Bans Enacted
The updated policy institutes a complete visa and travel ban for individuals from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria. Additionally, holders of Palestinian Authority passports and travel documents are subject to the full ban. Two countries previously under partial restrictions—Laos and Sierra Leone—now face a comprehensive travel prohibition.

Partial Entry Limits Extended
Fifteen more countries have been added to the list facing specific entry limitations: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Partial restrictions remain in effect for Burundi, Cuba, Togo, and Venezuela. Turkmenistan is the only nation to see an easing of rules, with previous non-immigrant visa restrictions being lifted.

Rationale and Timing
Administration officials cited national security concerns, inadequate vetting capabilities in certain nations, and high rates of visa overstays as primary reasons for the expansion. The Department of Homeland Security identified several of the newly listed countries as hubs for terrorist activity or internal conflict, while others were flagged for excessive overstay rates on business, tourist, and student visas.

The announcement follows recent violent incidents, including a November attack in Washington, D.C., by an Afghan national granted asylum, and a December ambush in Syria that killed American personnel. The administration pointed to these events as underscoring the need for stricter immigration controls.

The new restrictions are scheduled to take effect on January 1 and include exemptions for lawful permanent residents, current visa holders, diplomats, and athletes. Case-by-case waivers will remain available.