New restrictions on entry to the United States: Trump has expanded the list of banned countries
17 December 2025 01:31
On December 16, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a new proclamation that significantly expands and tightens restrictions on the entry of foreign nationals into the United States. The document will come into force on January 1, 2026 and applies to dozens of countries from Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America. This was reported by the White House press service, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
The official purpose of the decision is to protect national security, fight terrorism, fraud and abuse of the US immigration system.
The proclamation states that the United States continues and expands the ban or restrictions on the entry of citizens of countries that:
- do not provide reliable identification of their citizens;
- have serious problems with recording births, marriages, and criminal records;
- do not share criminal and intelligence information with the United States;
- have high rates of visa violations;
- engage in massive corruption or the sale of citizenship (Citizenship by Investment).
“Without effective vetting, it is impossible to ensure that individuals entering the United States do not pose a threat to our security,” the document says.
Which countries are under a complete ban on entry
Complete suspension of entry (immigrant and non-immigrant visas)
Among them, in particular:
- Afghanistan
- Iran
- Syria
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Libya
- Yemen
- Haiti
- Eritrea
- Mali
- Niger
- South Sudan
- Sierra Leone
- Burkina Faso
- Laos
- Republic of Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
Entry with Palestinian Authority documents is also completely prohibited due to the impossibility of identity verification.
Partial restrictions: who else has had difficulty entering
Partial restrictions have been introduced for a number of countries, in particular for tourist, student, and business visas.
Among them:
- Cuba
- Venezuela
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Tanzania
- Zimbabwe
- Angola
- Malawi
- Zambia
- Togo
- Burundi.
In some cases, the US also reduces the validity of visas even if they are issued.
Why the US has taken tough steps
The document explicitly states that citizens of some of these countries were involved in cases of:
- terrorism,
- murder,
- human trafficking,
- financial crimes,
- smuggling,
- illegal financing of radical groups.
The problem of “citizenship for investment” programs, which allow circumventing previous sanctions, is also emphasized.
Who is not subject to the ban
The proclamation provides for exceptions.
The restrictions do not apply to:
- permanent residents of the United States (Green Card);
- persons with dual citizenship (if they travel with a passport of a “safe” country);
- diplomats, representatives of international organizations and NATO;
- athletes traveling to the Olympics, World Cup and other major events;
- persons who have already been granted asylum or refugee status;
- individual cases for reasons of US national interest.
When the decision may be reviewed
The Trump administration has provided for a review of the lists every 180 days.
If the country:
- improves its identification system;
- reduces the level of abuse;
- begins to cooperate with the United States in the field of security,
- restrictions may be eased or lifted.
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