US Travel Ban 2026: Which 39 Countries Are Affected

Full restrictions (19 countries): 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, and Yemen. People traveling on travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority are also fully restricted.

Partial restrictions (20 countries): Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Country pages with more detail: Haiti, Iran, Nigeria, Venezuela.

The proclamation lists these exceptions:

• Lawful permanent residents (green card holders)
• Dual nationals traveling on a passport from a country that is not on the list
• Diplomatic and international organization visas (such as A, G, C-2, C-3, and NATO categories)
• Athletes, coaches, and support staff traveling for the World Cup, the Olympics, or other major sporting events
• Certain special immigrant visas for US government employees abroad
• Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran
• Case-by-case national interest exceptions, which are rare

Since December 16, 2025, there is no general exception for spouses, children, or parents of US citizens, for adoptions, or for Afghan special immigrant visas. Visas issued before the ban took effect were not revoked.

• Abroad: consulates refuse covered visa applications under the proclamation. A waiver for an inadmissibility ground (such as Form I-601) does not overcome it.
• Inside the US: the proclamation governs entry, not status inside the country. But USCIS has held and re-reviewed many applications (green cards, naturalization, and others) from nationals of these countries since January 1, 2026. How holds apply varies by case and continues to change.
• Travel: nationals of these countries who are in the US on a temporary visa should think carefully before traveling, because a new visa may not be available.
• Reviews: the proclamation calls for periodic reviews, so countries can be added or removed.

1. Check your nationality and passport. The ban follows the passport you use and your nationality, so dual nationals should use their non-listed passport.
2. Don't pay visa fees for a suspended category unless you clearly fit an exception.
3. If you are in the US, keep your status valid and avoid travel unless a lawyer advises it.
4. If your case is on hold at USCIS, keep your address current and answer any request quickly.
5. Look at other countries' options if your plans cannot wait. See Canada and Mexico.
6. Talk to a licensed immigration lawyer before acting. Beware of anyone who promises a guaranteed exception; see scam protection.