The US is banning citizens of 39 countries from entering the country starting January 1, 2026. Find out who this applies to, what the exceptions are, and how to plan your trip to the US after the new rules

Starting January 1, 2026, the United States of America will implement a new travel ban that will affect citizens of 39 countries and persons with documents from the Palestinian Authority. These changes will affect the issuance of immigrant and non-immigrant visas. We tell you who this applies to, what the exceptions are, and what travelers need to know before traveling.

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What does the new travel ban to the United States change starting January 1, 2026?

US President Donald Trump has issued a proclamation that expands previous travel restrictions. The new rules provide for:

- A complete visa ban for 19 countries.

- Partial visa restrictions for 19 more countries, including temporary tourist, student and exchange visas (categories B, F, M, J).

- Relaxation for Turkmenistan - citizens of this country can again apply for some non-immigrant visas.

Important! If you already have a valid visa on January 1, 2026 or are in the United States, the ban does not apply to you.

Countries with a complete restriction on travel to the United States

The list of countries where the issuance of all types of visas is prohibited includes: Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Haiti, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Laos, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Syria.

Holders of travel documents of the Palestinian Authority are also subject to restrictions. Exceptions are possible only in very rare cases.

Countries with Partial Travel Restrictions to the U.S. in 2026

For 19 other countries, the U.S. is restricting the issuance of immigrant visas and temporary B, F, M, J visas. This list includes, among others:

Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

All other types of visas can be issued, but with a limited period of validity and single entry.

Who is exempt from the ban?

There are several categories of travelers who are not subject to the new rules:

- Those who are already in the U.S. or have a valid visa as of January 1, 2026.

- Permanent residents of the U.S.

- Dual nationals traveling on a passport without restrictions.

- Diplomats and certain government employees.

- Athletes and members of the entourage for major international sporting events.

- Individuals with a special exemption in the national interest.

Important: Previous exemptions for immediate family and adoption are no longer in effect.

What does this mean for travelers?

If you are planning to travel to the United States from a country that is subject to the ban, you should act quickly:

- Obtain a visa or enter the United States by January 1, 2026, if possible.

- Be prepared for additional border checks.

- Expect delays when submitting new visa applications.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has also temporarily suspended processing of immigration applications for people from the banned countries, even if they have a different citizenship.

The list of countries and rules will be reviewed every 180 days, but for now the new ban will take effect on January 1, 2026. Travelers from affected countries are advised to plan their trips in advance and consult with experts to avoid problems at the border.

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Reminder! USCIS has established new shortened validity periods for Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) - only 18 months or 1 year for most categories. We have already told you who is affected by the changes, which groups should renew their documents more often, and how to prepare to avoid a break in work.

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