On December 16, 2025, President Trump issued a new presidential proclamation significantly expanding and reshaping existing travel bans. The proclamation affects both immigrant (permanent residence) and nonimmigrant (temporary) visa applicants from dozens of countries worldwide.
These changes affect families, students, workers, and employers and took effect immediately. The proclamation introduces newly added countries, stricter exceptions, and a major policy change for Turkmenistan, making it essential for visa applicants to understand how the new rules may impact U.S. entry eligibility.
The White House released an accompanying fact sheet outlining the scope of the expanded restrictions.
Trump Issues New U.S. Travel Ban Expansion on December 16, 2025
As of December 16, 2025, the United States expanded and strengthened entry bans and visa restrictions on foreign nationals from multiple countries. The restrictions apply to:
- Immigrant visas (green cards)
- Nonimmigrant visas (tourist, business, student, and work visas)
Countries Subject to Full U.S. Travel and Visa Bans
Nationals of the following countries are fully restricted from entering the United States for both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, with limited exceptions such as lawful permanent residents, certain diplomatic categories, and specific athletes:
- Afghanistan
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Burkina Faso
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Mali
- Niger
- South Sudan
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Syria
- Yemen
Individuals holding Palestinian Authority–issued travel documents are also fully restricted.
Countries Subject to Partial U.S. Visa Restrictions and Suspensions
Nationals of the following countries are subject to partial restrictions. Certain visa categories, particularly immigrant visas and many nonimmigrant visas, remain suspended:
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Benin
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Dominica
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Tonga
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Venezuela
Other countries previously subject to partial restrictions remain limited under earlier proclamations.
What Changed Under the December 16, 2025 Travel Ban Expansion
Newly Added Countries to the Full U.S. Entry Ban
- Adds Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria to the full restriction list
- Upgrades Laos and Sierra Leone from partial to full restrictions
- Includes Palestinian Authority travel document holders in the full ban category for the first time
Expanded Partial Visa Bans and Country-Based Restrictions
- Adds 15 additional countries to the partial restriction list, including Angola, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
- Continues partial restrictions on countries such as Burundi, Cuba, Togo, and Venezuela
Limited Exceptions to the U.S. Travel and Visa Ban
The proclamation preserves limited exceptions for:
- Lawful permanent residents
- Individuals holding valid visas at the time of issuance
- Diplomats, official representatives, and select priority visa categories
- Athletes and team members participating in major international events
Family-Based Immigrant Visa Waivers Narrowed Under New Rules
The proclamation narrows broad family-based immigrant visa exceptions due to fraud concerns while preserving case-by-case waiver eligibility.
Turkmenistan Visa Update: Nonimmigrant Ban Lifted, Immigrant Visas Still Suspended
Turkmenistan’s status changed significantly under the December 16 update:
- Previously subject to partial restrictions affecting both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas
- The nonimmigrant visa ban has been lifted, allowing tourism, business, and study travel
- Immigrant visa issuance remains suspended
The White House cited improved cooperation with the United States on identity management and information sharing as the basis for this policy shift.
2025 Travel Ban Summary: How the New Rules Affect Visa Applicants
Immigrant Visas
Nationals of fully and partially restricted countries generally cannot receive immigrant visas at this time, subject to narrow exceptions and case-by-case waivers.
Nonimmigrant Visas
- Fully restricted countries: nonimmigrant visa issuance remains suspended
- Partially restricted countries: many nonimmigrant visa categories remain limited or suspended
- Turkmenistan: nonimmigrant visa issuance has resumed
Speak With a U.S. Immigration Lawyer About Travel Ban Options
Call us today to legalize in the United States at (718) 769-6352 or book your consultation directly at
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