President Trump has issued successive proclamations restricting travel to the United States. On June 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order that fully restricts the entry of all nationals from Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and others. On December 16, 2025, President Trump issued a proclamation restricting entry to the United States by nationals of 39 countries plus individuals traveling on Palestinian Authority (PA)-issued travel documents. These restrictions create significant compliance obligations for employers, educational institutions, and individuals seeking entry.
What changed
The proclamation (set to take effect January 1, 2026) expands on the one from June 4, 2025, which suspended the entry of certain foreign nationals from 19 countries. The Executive Order allows a few exceptions to the travel ban. Diplomats, permanent residents, U.S. citizens with dual citizenship, athletes competing in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, soccer teams traveling for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, immediate family immigrant visas, adoptees, Afghans with Special Immigrant Visas, and members of ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran will still be allowed to travel to the United States.
The December 2025 proclamation splits restrictions into two tiers: full entry restriction for nationals from Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Under the Executive Order, entry is prohibited for tourists, business visitors, international students, and exchange visitors from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. B-1, B-2, F, M, and J visa holders from these seven countries cannot travel to the United States. Other visa holders from these countries are still permitted to enter the U.S.
Why it matters
These restrictions fundamentally reshape how you advise clients from affected countries. Permanent residents, and individuals with valid US visas issued prior to January 1, 2026, are still admissible to the United States. However, it is unclear if individuals with other existing, valid travel documents (such as parole) are admissible to the US on or after January 1.
For fully restricted countries, no nationals can enter except those holding exempted categories. For partially restricted countries, certain nonimmigrant visa types (tourist, student, exchange, business) are blocked while others (employment visas, immigrant visas) may remain available.
Your clients should verify their visa type and country of nationality immediately. Processing delays may occur as consulates implement the new rules. Employers sponsoring workers from affected countries should assess visa category eligibility and potential timelines before proceeding.
Way forward
- Verify affected status: Confirm your client’s country of nationality and visa category against the full proclamation text (linked below).
- Review exemptions: Determine whether your client qualifies for any explicit exemption (diplomatic status, permanent resident, immediate family immigrant visa, etc.).
- Assess visa type eligibility: If from a partially restricted country, confirm that the intended visa category is not on the restricted list (B, F, M, J, tourist/business).
- Consult the proclamation directly: Visit the Federal Register or the U.S. State Department website for the complete list of 39 countries and full text of exemptions and partial restrictions.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law is complex and subject to change without notice. President Trump issued a proclamation restricting entry to the United States by nationals of 39 countries plus individuals traveling on Palestinian Authority (PA)-issued travel documents, effective January 1, 2026. You must verify all details against the primary proclamation and consult with a licensed immigration attorney to advise clients on specific situations. Policy and guidance may change at any time; always confirm current rules with USCIS, DOS, and official government sources before relying on this information.