President Trump Issues Expanded Travel Ban Effective January 1, 2026

The U.S. has recently expanded visa restrictions and bans for nationals from numerous countries, including Afghanistan, Burma, Iran, Syria, Nigeria, and others, under Presidential Proclamations aimed at national security, citing deficient vetting and cooperation, affecting immigrant/non-immigrant visas and student/exchange visas (F/J visas) for various nations starting January 1, 2026.

These measures, implemented by the Trump administration, categorize countries into full bans (e.g., Iran, Syria) or partial bans (e.g., Nigeria, Venezuela), affecting different visa types and totaling around 39 nations.

Key Details of the Expanded Restrictions (Effective Jan 1, 2026):

Full Entry Bans (Immigrant & Nonimmigrant Visas): Apply to 19 countries like Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Syria, plus Palestinian Authority passport holders.

Partial Entry Bans (Immigrant & Key Nonimmigrant Visas): Affect nationals from Angola, Burundi, Cuba, Nigeria, Venezuela, and others, restricting visitor (B1/B2), student (F), and exchange (J) visas.

Reasons Cited: Inadequate security vetting, insufficient cooperation, and national security concerns.

Who's Affected:

International Students: Significant impacts on F (student) and J (exchange) visas, affecting Nigeria and other nations.

Employment & Other Visas: Restrictions on various employment-based and temporary visas.

Background:

These are expansions and updates to previous travel bans, building on proclamations from earlier in 2025.

The U.S. Department of State suspended visa issuance under these new rules.

Permanent residents, and individuals with valid US visas issued prior to January 1, 2026, are still admissible to the United States. It is unclear if individuals with other existing, valid travel documents (such as parole) are admissible to the US on or after January 1.