Immigrants & Immigration

A travel ban is a rule that limits who can enter the United States. Usually, this means people from certain countries cannot come to the US using immigrant or nonimmigrant visas. This would be considered a full ban. An immigrant visa lets someone become a lawful permanent resident (LPR or green card holder) after entering the US. A nonimmigrant visa allows someone to come to the US for a short time and for a specific reason. Some bans are partial, which means some people from those countries can still travel to the US.

Some people may be exempt from the ban. For example, LPRs from banned countries may be allowed to enter the US from abroad. New bans can replace or change older bans. They can also be canceled by the US government. 

The government may use a different legal name, but most people call these rules “travel bans.” The most recent ban is called the “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States”. It was published on December 16, 2025.

It is important to read the ban carefully to know which countries are affected and who may be exempt. It’s also important to understand when the bans take effect, how long it lasts, and whether it will be reviewed. Typically, the newest travel ban is the one that applies.

Travel bans only apply to people trying to enter the US from another country. Therefore, the bans don’t impact people who are already physically in the US.

The President can decide to stop people from certain countries from entering the US. The Department of State (DOS) manages visas and entry for people coming from other countries. The President tells the Secretary of State which countries are banned, what kind of ban applies, and for how long. The Secretary of State and the Department of Homeland Security enforce Taking legal steps to make someone do what the court tells them to do the ban.

Starting January 1, 2026, people from the following 19 countries cannot enter the US, unless an exception applies:

• Afghanistan
• Burkina Faso
• Burma (Myanmar)
• Chad
• Republic of the Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Haiti
• Iran
• Laos
• Libya
• Mali
• Niger
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• Sudan
• Syria
• Yemen  

People traveling with documents from the Palestinian Authority are also fully banned from entering the US.

Starting January 1, 2026, people from these countries who are outside the US and do not already have a valid visa cannot enter.

People from the following countries are affected by a partial ban:

• Angola
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Benin
• Burundi
• Cote d ‘Ivoire
• Cuba
• Dominica
• Gabon
• The Gambia
• Malawi
• Mauritania
• Nigeria
• Senegal
• Tanzania
• Togo
• Tonga
• Venezuela
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

Starting January 1, 2026, people from these countries can’t enter on immigrant visas, or tourist, student, and exchange visitor visas, which are specific nonimmigrant visas. Other nonimmigrant visas are still allowed, including those for foreign diplomats from these other countries.

Turkmenistan is also partially banned, but they have separate conditions. They cannot enter the US using immigrant visas, but may still travel on nonimmigrant visas.

Yes. Lawful permanent residents who are citizens of banned countries will be allowed to enter the US from abroad. Note: LPRs should still consider the impacts of traveling abroad. The following people are also exempt from the current travel bans:

• Dual citizens of any banned country who travel using their passport A document that lets a person travel outside the country issued by another, non-banned country,
• People traveling with nonimmigrant visas for diplomats, government officials, and representatives of international organizations, including NATO,
• Athletes, coaches, other members of a sports teams, and their immediate relatives, who are traveling to the US for major sporting event as determined by the Secretary of State, including the World Cup and Olympics,
• People who have been granted Special Immigrant Visas for their employment in the US government,
• Ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran with immigrant visas, and
• Individuals granted asylum and refugees previously admitted to the US.

The Secretary of State and the Attorney General can also choose to let people who are banned into the US if their entry would “serve Giving court documents to someone a United States national interest.” The ban does not explain how to request permission to enter. If the ban applies to you and you want to enter the US, talk to an experienced immigration lawyer Someone who represents clients in courts or who gives legal advice about your options.