United States | Proclamation expands and revises travel restrictions impacting nationals of 39 countries, effective Jan. 1, 2026

The Trump administration issued a Proclamation on Dec. 16, 2025, expanding and revising entry restrictions that impact nationals from 39 countries. The restrictions are effective as of 12:01 a.m. ET on Jan. 1, 2026.

Key Points:

• The Proclamation expands on and revises the restrictions for certain foreign nationals addressed in Proclamation 10949 of June 4, 2025, and in alignment with Executive Order 14161 of Jan. 20, 2025, “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other Security and Public Safety Threats.”
• The expanded travel ban either partially or fully bans entry for nationals of 39 countries and those travelling with Palestinian Authority-issued documents, effective Jan. 1, 2026, with updates, including but not limited to:
  • Continuing the full restrictions and entry limitations of nationals from the original 12 high-risk countries established under Proclamation 10949: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
  • Adding full restrictions and entry limitations on Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Syria and individuals using travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian-Authority.
  • Imposing full restrictions and entry limitations on nationals from Laos and Sierra Leone, two countries that were previously under partial restrictions.
  • Continuing partial restrictions for Burundi, Cuba, Togo and Venezuela.
  • Adding partial restrictions and entry limitations on 15 additional countries: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
  • Removing prior restrictions on Turkmenistan nonimmigrant visas but maintaining immigrant visas restrictions.
• The country-related restrictions apply to nationals of designated countries who are outside the U.S. on Jan. 1, 2026, and who do not have a valid visa on Jan. 1, 2026. It does not apply to lawful permanent residents or prevent the travel of dual nationals using a passport issued by a country not subject to restrictions.
• The Proclamation also outlines certain categorical and discretionary exceptions and removed the following exceptions under Proclamation 10949:
  • Immediate family immigrant visas (IR-1/CR-1, IR-2/CR-2, IR-5);
  • Adoptions (IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, IH-4); and
  • Afghan Special Immigrant Visas.
• According to the Proclamation’s accompanying fact sheet: “The Proclamation narrows broad family-based immigrant visa carve-outs that carry demonstrated fraud risks, while preserving case-by-case waivers.”
• The Proclamation states, “No immigrant or nonimmigrant visa issued before the applicable effective date of this proclamation shall be revoked pursuant to this proclamation.”

Additional Information: Foreign nationals are reminded to consult with their BAL team regarding potential risks associated with international travel and to be aware of general travel requirements, including maintaining valid status in the U.S. BAL will continue to monitor developments and update accordingly. U.S. immigration policies may change quickly and without prior notice.

For the latest updates and insights regarding these policies, in-house immigration professionals are invited to join BAL Community at no cost.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group. 

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