A major travel update is coming on January 1, 2026. US President Donald Trump has issued a new proclamation that expands the scope of his earlier travel ban. The new rules block or limit visa issuance for people from 39 countries, along with anyone travelling on Palestinian Authority documents.
If you already have a valid visa on January 1, or you are inside the United States on that date, the ban does not apply to you.
The order divides countries into different groups. For 19 countries, the United States will stop issuing all immigrant and non-immigrant visas. For another 19 countries, the US will stop issuing immigrant visas, as well as some common temporary visas, like:
One country, Turkmenistan, has had some rules relaxed, and its nationals can now apply for non-immigrant visas again.
The government says these changes are needed for security screenings. But many travellers may feel confused or worried about how the rules will be applied at consulates and borders.
As you may be aware, right now, as many as 13 countries are already fully restricted in the June travel ban, and they remain on the list. These include:
The new proclamation adds seven more countries to the full-ban group. These include:
People using Palestinian Authority travel documents are also covered by the same restrictions. Anyone from these places will not be issued either immigrant or non-immigrant visas unless they qualify for a rare exception.
Travellers from another set of 19 countries will face a different type of limitation. They cannot receive immigrant visas or visas in the B, F, M, or J categories. These rules affect countries including:
For all other visa types, consulates may still issue visas, but with shorter validity. In many cases, these visas are already being restricted to single entry and a validity period of only a few months.
There are some exemptions, though the list is shorter than before. You are not affected if:
The earlier travel ban offered more exemptions, for example, for immediate relatives and adoption visas. These have been removed.
The order also does not affect refugees who have already been admitted or anyone applying for asylum or CAT protection.
If you come from any of the affected countries and you are planning to travel, timing is crucial. Anyone who can lawfully enter the United States before January 1 may want to do so, because the rules change after that date. If you already have a visa, you can still use it, although you may face extra screening at the airport.
Those living in the United States with a valid status on January 1 might still be able to apply for a new visa later, but the government has not confirmed how this will work. There may be delays or uncertainty.
Another point worth noting is that US immigration authorities recently paused the processing of immigration applications for people from travel-ban countries. This also affects people who were simply born in one of these countries, even if they hold another nationality.
The United States will review the list every 180 days, which means countries can be added, removed, or reclassified. But for now, the rules are set to begin on January 1, and the impact on travel and immigration will be significant.
If you or someone you know is affected, it may help to seek advice early and plan travel carefully.
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