United States Expands Travel Ban List

The United States has tightened its immigration policy once again. The administration of Donald Trump has expanded its travel restrictions, reintroducing and broadening a travel ban that now affects nationals from dozens of countries. The new measures, which took effect in early 2026, distinguish between full entry bans and partial visa restrictions.

A return to hardline immigration policies

U.S. officials say the expanded travel ban is aimed at addressing national security concerns, identity verification failures, and high visa overstay rates in the affected countries. The move echoes similar policies implemented during Trump’s first term, but with a wider geographic scope, largely impacting countries in Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean.

Countries facing a full entry ban

Nationals from the following countries are subject to a complete suspension of entry into the United States, covering both immigrant and non-immigrant visas, with only narrow exceptions:

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

In addition, individuals traveling on Palestinian Authority-issued or endorsed travel documents are also subject to a full suspension of entry, according to U.S. authorities.

Countries under partial visa restrictions

Several other countries are not fully banned but face partial restrictions, which may include the suspension of certain visa categories, reduced visa validity periods, or enhanced screening requirements:

Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

For citizens of these countries, travel to the United States remains possible but is subject to stricter conditions and greater uncertainty.