New Travel Bans Ripple From DC To Distant Shores: Here's What You Need To Know

A major new travel policy has been put in place in the U.S., reviving one of the most talked-about measures from Donald Trump's first presidential term. While places like New Zealand are opening their doors to digital nomads and long-stay travelers, citizens from 12 countries will now be banned from entering the U.S., while seven other countries will face partial restrictions. The new rules took effect on June 9, 2025.

The full list under the ban includes: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Tighter restrictions are now in place for Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. President Trump has said the countries included in this policy often have frequent visa overstays and poor internal screening and vetting. He added that some also haven't been cooperative in taking back their deported nationals. 

Many nations affected by these rules — such as Afghanistan, Libya, Iran, Haiti, and Sudan — have either strained ties with the U.S. or ongoing unrest within their borders. According to the White House, the policy aims to tighten national security. President Trump also pointed to a recent attack in Boulder, Colorado, as an example of the dangers of visa overstays (via AP News). In that attack, the Egyptian suspect was reportedly in the U.S. on an expired visa — however, Egypt isn't included in these new restrictions.

This rollout went a little differently than Trump's 2017 travel ban, which took effect with little warning and led to widespread airport confusion. This time, there was a short buffer from the announcement to implementation to reduce travel disruptions. While the effects will vary from country to country, the new rules are already sparking diplomatic responses.

While the full effects are still to be seen, travelers from the impacted countries will be watching closely. Whether planning vacations, visiting relatives, or pursuing academic programs, many are now facing uncertainty about their ability to travel to the U.S. And a visa rejection doesn't just impact an immediate trip. It can actually affect future travel.

Some countries on the list only receive a few hundred U.S. visa approvals each year, so the ban will have less of an impact. Others, like Venezuela, will be more affected. According to State Department data, over 55,000 Venezuelans received nonimmigrant visas in 2023 (via CNN).

There are exceptions built into the policy. Green card holders, dual nationals, immediate family members of U.S. citizens, and athletes traveling for international events like the World Cup may still qualify for entry. Certain visa programs also remain in place — including Special Immigrant Visas for Afghans who worked alongside U.S. forces during the war in Afghanistan. Still, including Afghanistan has drawn criticism from some groups who've worked to resettle Afghans.

The response from foreign governments has been mixed. Chad's president said he instructed his government to act with "reciprocity" (via Reuters). Cuba and Iran criticized the move (via CNN and The Guardian, respectively), saying the policy came off as "racist." Venezuela responded by saying the U.S. is a dangerous place with a fascist government (via The Guardian). On the other hand, Somalia said it would work with the U.S. to address security concerns (via Reuters). The African Union raised concerns about the impacts on diplomatic, educational, and cultural ties. "While recognising the sovereign right of all nations to protect their borders and ensure the security of their citizens, the African Union Commission respectfully appeals to the United States to exercise this right in a manner that is balanced, evidence-based, and reflective of the long-standing partnership between the United States and Africa," it said in a statement. Of course, U.S. citizens can travel visa-free to many top destinations.