US visa and entry ban

On December 16, 2025, the US government under President Donald Trump formally adopted and implemented new entry restrictions. This is based on the proclamation issued on June 4, 2025The aim is to minimize potential security risks by tightening controls and restricting the entry of nationals from certain countries.

The binding presidential decree provides for both complete entry bans and partial restrictions for a total of 39 countries. The regulation applies to foreign nationals outside the USA who do not have a valid US visa when it comes into force.

Focus on safety standards and government cooperation

The decision is based on the US government's assessment of the security, identity and documentation standards of individual countries. The countries concerned are those whose authorities, in the opinion of the USA, are not cooperating sufficiently in verifying identities, issuing secure travel documents or taking back their own nationals who are unlawfully present in the United States.

The regulation builds on previous US State Department review procedures, but goes significantly further by setting out specific consequences. Countries that do not meet the required standards or fail to demonstrate credible improvements are now subject to either a complete entry ban or visa and category-related restrictions.

This applies to foreign nationals who outside the United States and as of the reporting date no valid US visa have been banned from entering the USA since the proclamation came into force.

US visa and entry bans are measures taken by the US government that restrict or completely prohibit the entry of nationals of certain countries or certain groups of people into the United States. These bans can be based on various legal grounds, including presidential proclamations.

Complete visa and entry ban

For nationals of the following countries 20 countries the issuance of US non-immigrant visas and US immigrant visas is completely suspended. A complete entry ban also applies:

Partial US visa and entry restrictions

Nationals of the following countries 19 countries do not receive US immigrant visas (IV) or US non-immigrant visas (NIV) in categories B-1, B-2, B-1 / B-2, F, M, J:

Please note that exceptions apply for many of the countries listed (e.g. valid visas prior to entry into force, green card holders, certain official travel documents).