The Trump administration is reportedly considering imposing extensive travel restrictions on citizens from 41 countries, according to sources familiar with the matter and an internal memo reviewed by Reuters.
The proposed restrictions, detailed in the memo, categorize affected countries into three groups, with varying levels of visa suspensions.
Full visa suspensions
The first category consists of 10 nations, including Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and North Korea, which would face a complete suspension of U.S. visa issuance. The restrictions, if enforced, would effectively bar citizens from these countries from entering the United States.
Partial suspensions on select visas
The second group comprises five countries—Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan—where visa restrictions would apply to tourist, student, and certain immigrant visas, with limited exceptions.
Conditional restrictions for 26 countries
A third category includes 26 nations, such as Belarus, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan, which could face partial visa suspensions if their governments fail to address “deficiencies” in security screening processes within 60 days, the memo states.
Uncertainty over final list
A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, cautioned that the list remains subject to change and has yet to receive final approval from the administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The New York Times was the first to report on the proposed list.
Full list of affected countries
Countries facing full visa suspensions:
- Afghanistan
- Cuba
- Iran
- Libya
- North Korea
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Syria
- Venezuela
- Yemen
Countries facing partial visa suspensions (tourist, student, and some immigrant visas affected):
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Laos
- Myanmar
- South Sudan
Countries recommended for partial suspension if they fail to improve security screening:
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Belarus
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Burkina Faso
- Cabo Verde
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Chad
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Dominica
- Equatorial Guinea
- Gambia
- Liberia
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Pakistan
- Republic of the Congo
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Sierra Leone
- Timor-Leste (East Timor)
- Turkmenistan
- Vanuatu
A return to Trump-era restrictions
The proposed measure echoes Trump’s first-term travel ban, which initially barred entry from seven Muslim-majority countries before facing multiple legal challenges. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a revised version of the ban in 2018.
On January 20, Trump signed an executive order mandating stricter security vetting for foreign nationals seeking entry into the U.S., citing national security threats. The order instructed cabinet members to submit a list of countries by March 21 for full or partial visa suspensions based on inadequate screening measures.
During a campaign speech in October 2023, Trump vowed to tighten entry restrictions for travelers from the Gaza Strip, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and other regions deemed a security risk.
The U.S. State Department has yet to respond to requests for comment on the proposed restrictions.
