On December 16, 2025, the White House issued a proclamation titled "Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States," significantly expanding existing travel and visa restrictions. The proclamation more than doubles the number of countries affected by the June 2025 travel ban — from 19 to 39 countries — and adds a ban on individuals traveling with Palestinian Authority-issued documents. These restrictions take effect at 12:01 a.m. EST on January 1, 2026, and apply to foreign nationals of affected countries who are outside the U.S. and do not hold a valid visa at that time.
Full Restrictions and Entry Limitations
Nationals of the following countries, and individuals traveling on Palestinian Authority-issued documents, are subject to full travel and entry restrictions. Issuance of all immigrant and nonimmigrant visas is suspended. This means individuals from these countries cannot seek permanent residence through immigrant visas or temporary nonimmigrant visas for tourism, work or study.
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* Denotes countries added or moved into this category in the latest proclamation
Partial Restrictions
Nationals of the following countries are subject to partial travel restrictions. They are ineligible for immigrant visas and certain nonimmigrant categories, including B-1/B-2 visitor visas and F, M, J student/exchange visas.
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* Denotes countries added to this category in the latest proclamation
Exceptions and Changes
The full and partial restrictions do not apply to the following exempted categories of foreign nationals:
- Lawful permanent residents of the U.S. (i.e. Green Card Holders)
- Dual nationals of an affected country who travel with a passport issued by an undesignated country
- Athletes, coaches, support staff and immediate relatives traveling for the World Cup
- Certain categories of diplomats and long-term U.S. government employees
- Ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran
However, the proclamation eliminates prior exemptions from the June 2025 travel ban. The following categories of foreign nationals are no longer exempted:
- Immediate relatives (spouses, unmarried children under 21 years of age and parents) of U.S. citizens applying for immigrant visas
- Immigrant visas related to adoptions
- Afghan Special Immigrant Visas
The proclamation's expanded restrictions will significantly impact family-based immigration, employment-based petitions and student/exchange programs for nationals of listed countries. If you or someone you plan to sponsor may be affected, consult with immigration counsel before making travel plans or filing applications. The proclamation states waivers are available on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Secretary of State, should they find the individual would serve a U.S. national interest.
Fredrikson's Immigration Team is closely monitoring the travel ban and will provide further information as details become available.
