On December 16, 2025, the Trump administration issued a proclamation expanding its June 2025 travel and immigration ban, or “June Ban” as we refer to it in this resource, on the travel and immigration of people from more than 19 countries. Both the “June Ban” and the ban issued in December, while often called “travel bans,” affect much more than travel. We refer to the ban issued in December as the “Expanded Travel and Immigration Ban” in this resource, and it will affect people from 39 countries, as well as people with travel documents from the Palestinian Authority from traveling and immigration to the United States.
When the “Expanded Travel and Immigration Ban” and took effect on Jan. 1, 2026, the Trump administration limited or barred entry into the U.S. for people from almost 20 percent of the countries in the world. It targets Muslim-majority, Black-majority, Brown-majority, African, and Southeast Asian countries.
Update: The US. Department of State issued a policy freezing the processing of immigration visas for applicants from 75 countries starting Jan. 21, 2026.
This resource page provides general information explaining the Trump administrations' travel and immigration bans. This information is not legal advice. If you have questions specific to your case, you should contact an immigration attorney. Additionally, this is an evolving area of law. The information below can change if the Trump administration issues new policies. Please revisit this page regularly for the most up-to-date information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Expanded Travel and Immigration Ban
When does the “Expanded Travel and Immigration Ban” take effect?
The “Expanded Travel and Immigration Ban” took effect on January 1, 2026. However, the “June Ban,” which includes 19 countries, has been in effect since June 9, 2025.
What countries does the “Expanded Travel and Immigration Ban" apply to?
June Ban
- Partial Restrictions
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
- Fully Banned
- Afghanistan
- Chad
- Republic of Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Myanmar
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
December "Expanded Travel and Immigration Ban" (effective January 1, 2026)
* the country's ban status is new or changed from the June Ban
- Partial Restrictions
- Angola*
- Antigua and Barbuda*
- Benin*
- Burundi
- Cote d 'Ivoire*
- Cuba
- Dominica*
- Gabon*
- Gambia*
- Malawi*
- Mauritania*
- Nigeria*
- Senegal*
- Tanzania*
- Togo
- Tonga*
- Turkmenistan*
- Venezuela
- Zambia*
- Zimbabwe*
- Fully Banned
- Afghanistan
- Burkina Faso*
- Chad
- Republic of Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Laos*
- Libya
- Mali*
- Myanmar
- Niger*
- Palestinian Authority*
- Sierra Leone*
- Somalia
- South Sudan*
- Sudan
- Syria*
- Yemen
What is the difference between the two types of restrictions in the “Expanded Travel and Immigration Ban”?
People from countries with full travel and immigration restrictions under the ban will not be granted travel documents to immigrate to the United States (“immigrant visas”) or travel documents to enter the U.S. for other reasons (“nonimmigrant visas”), such as to visit family and friends or to study or work in the country temporarily.
People from countries with partial restrictions under the ban will not be granted travel documents to immigrate to the United States (“immigrant visas”). They also will not be granted certain types of travel documents to enter the U.S. for other reasons (“nonimmigrant visas”): B-1, B2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas. Additionally, if you are from a country with partial restrictions and you apply for and receive a visa in a category that is not subject to the ban, your visa may be valid for a shorter period of time.
*Note: For people from Turkmenistan, there is no longer a ban on entry with “nonimmigrant visas” into the U.S. However, entry with “immigrant visas” remains banned.
I am from one of the countries listed on the “Expanded Travel and Immigration Ban.” How do I know if the ban affects me?
Even if you are from a country listed on the “Expanded Travel and Immigration Ban,” the Ban should not affect you if:
- You are in the U.S. on January 1, 2026
- You are a lawful permanent resident of the U.S.;
- You already have a valid, non-expired, visa to enter the U.S. on January 1, 2026;
- You are a dual national (you have travel documents from two different countries), and you travel using a passport from a country that is not on the Ban (For example: you are citizen of both Spain and Dominica, and you are traveling using your Spanish passport);
- You are in the following visa categories: A1, A-2, C-2, C-3, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1, NATO2, NATO-3, NATO-4, NATO-5, or NATO-6; Special Immigrant Visas for United States Government employees under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(D); or immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran; OR
- You are an athlete or member of an athletic team (including the coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives) traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or another major sporting event as determined by the Secretary of State.
If you are not in any of the above categories, determining whether the ban affects you depends on whether you are from a country that is listed on the President’s proclamation and on what type of visa you are seeking.
I am in the process of adopting a child from one of the countries on the “Expanded Travel and Immigration Ban” list. Is there an exception so that my adopted child will be able to come to the United States to be a part of our family?
No. While the “June Ban” contained an exception for visas for adoptees (IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, IH-4), the “Expanded Travel and Immigration Ban” does not.
I am from one of the countries listed on the “Expanded Travel and Immigration Ban” and I’ve applied for a visa to travel to the U.S. What will happen to my application?
It depends. If you are from a country listed on the "June Ban,” your application may only be granted if you are seeking a visa in a category that is not subject to the ban or if you are subject to an exception to the ban.
If you are from a country listed on the “Expanded Travel and Immigration Ban” but not listed on the “June Ban,” your application should be processed normally if the government has made and issued a final decision on your application before January 1, 2026, the date the “Expanded Travel and Immigration Ban” takes effect. After that date, your application may only be granted if you are seeking a visa in a category that is not subject to the ban or if you are subject to an exception to the ban.
I am from one of the countries listed on the “Expanded Travel and Immigration Ban,” and I am currently in the United States. Is it safe for me to leave the country if I want to come back?
It depends. The “June Ban” and "Expanded Travel and Immigration Bans” do not apply to people who are already in the United States when the ban listing their country goes into effect (on June 9, 2025, and January 1, 2026, respectively). Of course, before leaving the country, ensure that you have valid, unexpired travel documents that will allow you to re-enter the U.S.
Additionally, due to a new policy issued in December 2025 by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) the government is re-reviewing immigration benefits granted to people from countries subject to the "June Ban,” if they entered the U.S. on or after January 20, 2021—and this re-review could impact your ability to re-enter the U.S. Because we have seen many policy changes, there is some risk that new policies established while you are abroad could impact your ability to re-enter the U.S.
Also, because we are experiencing a time of heightened immigration enforcement, if you have had contact with the criminal legal system (e.g. a criminal conviction, prior arrests, or even a vacated conviction) or if you have any concerns about your visa or your immigration status, you should consult with an immigration attorney before making plans to leave the country, even as a lawful permanent resident.
How long will the “Expanded Travel and Immigration Ban” last?
We do not know – at this time there is no expiration date. Please continue to check the ALC resource page for updates.
Pause on Immigrant Visa Processing
What is this policy?
The U.S. Department of State has issued a policy, effective January 21, 2026, that will “pause” issuance of immigrant visas to applicants from 75 countries. It has not stated how long this pause will last.
Which countries are impacted by this pause?
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen
Does this pause mean that applicants from the 75 impacted countries will not be able to get a U.S. visa?
This pause will prevent applicants from the 75 impacted countries from getting one type of visa—an immigrant visa—while the pause is in effect. There are many other types of visas that are not paused, though, including tourist visas, student visas, and visas for victims of certain types of crime in the U.S. (T-visas and U-visa).
What is an immigrant visa?
An immigrant visa is a type of visa intended for individuals who plan to live permanently in the United States; they offer immigrant visa holders a path to gaining Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status, and citizenship. There are several ways to obtain an immigrant visa: through LPR or citizen family members, through employers, or through the Diversity Visa Lottery.
I have an immigrant visa. Will this pause affect me?
The Department of State has stated that it has not revoked any immigrant visas due to this pause.
Are there any exceptions to this pause?
Dual nationals who are from the 75 countries impacted can apply for immigrant visas if they have a valid passport from a country not impacted by the pause, and they use this passport to apply for an immigrant visa.