New Travel Ban: 12 Countries Shut Out of US—Plus 7 More Facing Tougher Screening

Starting June 9, the U.S. will block nearly all travelers from 12 countries and tighten restrictions on seven more. The move revives a version of Trump’s first-term travel ban, but this time, the administration has added more exemptions, rolled it out with notice, and claims it’s built to withstand legal challenges. The White House says the targeted nations fail basic screening standards or have high visa overstay rates.

New Ban, Bigger Scope

The updated restrictions block all entry from citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Travelers from seven other countries, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela, will face new limits on nonimmigrant visas, primarily tourist, student and exchange categories.

This isn’t a total visa shutdown. Visas already issued remain valid. The White House has emphasized that the policy targets “countries of concern” where officials say internal vetting systems are either broken or unreliable.

What Prompted the Ban?

The administration linked the move to national security concerns, citing an uptick in visa overstays and poor documentation from the affected nations. Officials also pointed to a recent firebomb incident in Boulder, Colorado, involving an Egyptian national, though Egypt is not on the banned list.

The rollout was structured to avoid the chaos and lawsuits that followed the original 2017 ban. Legal experts say the advance notice and broader list of exceptions make this version more difficult to challenge in court. The government has also avoided targeting religious groups directly, another element that landed the original policy in legal jeopardy.

Who Gets a Pass

The restrictions come with several exceptions. U.S. permanent residents, current visa holders and dual nationals using a passport from a non-banned country are not affected. Diplomatic and official travel is allowed, and waivers are available on a case-by-case basis.

Athletes, officials and family members involved in major global events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup or 2028 Olympics are also exempt. In addition, certain Afghans eligible for special immigrant visas and Iranians fleeing religious persecution may still qualify under humanitarian grounds.

Diplomatic Backlash and Reception

The reaction has been immediate. Chad suspended visa processing for U.S. travelers in response. Other nations have warned of potential long-term fallout, particularly in trade, education and diplomacy. The African Union issued a statement raising concerns about strained relationships across the continent.

Rights organizations have criticized the move as a reboot of a policy that targeted specific populations under the guise of national security.

Foreign policy observers now watch for two signals: will more nations be added or removed from the list, and how soon could this version face legal hurdles?

Cat Xu

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Catherine, a seasoned travel writer, has lived in 4 different states and explored 36 states and 28 national parks. After spending two years embracing van life, she's now dedicated to sharing her vast knowledge of day trips across America. Catherine's other works has been referenced in major publications like MSN, Self, and TripSavvy.

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