A new travel ban is landing with the force of a dropped suitcase. Starting Monday at 12:01 a.m., there will be 12 countries under a full ban and seven under partial restrictions, totaling 19 countries. The policy is similar to the measures taken during Trump’s first term, but it casts a wider net this time. Here’s a quick, engaging look at the countries now facing new travel hurdles.
Afghanistan
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Once a key U.S. ally, Afghanistan now finds itself back on the restricted list. The ban applies broadly, but carves out an exception for Afghans holding Special Immigrant Visas. Officials cite unreliable passport systems and weak screening infrastructure as justification.
Haiti
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Haiti joins the list due to high visa overstay rates and instability at home. The U.S. government points to the lack of central authority and rising control in Port-au-Prince as red flags. Despite not being included in Trump’s 2017 travel ban, Haiti is now under heavier scrutiny.
Iran
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Iran was already under tight restrictions, but this updated ban blocks most visitors unless they’re granted special humanitarian or religious visas. This move falls in line with earlier executive orders targeting Iranian nationals.
Libya
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Libya remains on the no-go list, with divided leadership making identity verification nearly impossible. The U.S. cited ongoing militia activity and poor documentation systems as reasons for keeping Libyan nationals off entry rolls for now.
Myanmar
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The U.S. cited Myanmar’s violent rule and deficient identity documentation systems as reasons for the travel ban. The country’s 2021 coup disrupted any reliable civil processes and led to growing concern over its ability to screen travelers effectively.
Somalia
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Somalia stays on the radar due to long-standing concerns about terror group activity and weak governance. For example, in 2017, Somalia was again among the countries facing a full travel ban under the latest policy rollout. The U.S. says it’s nearly impossible to verify Somalian documents with confidence.
Sudan
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Sudan’s inclusion is tied to its current chaos and divided leadership. Ongoing fighting between rival factions has thrown the country into turmoil. The U.S. government considers this instability a barrier to reliable vetting and safe repatriation, hence the reimposed travel ban.
Yemen
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Yemen’s internal conflict continues to disrupt basic civil functions, including border control and identity verification. Despite intermittent peace efforts, the instability makes it difficult for the U.S. to assess traveler backgrounds. For now, the policy leans toward caution.
Chad
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Chad made the list again—despite once being removed in 2018. This time, it’s back due to noncompliance with information-sharing protocols and concerns about visa overstays. Homeland Security flagged the country for lacking consistent biometric data and passport validation processes.
Republic of Congo
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The Republic of Congo now faces a full travel ban. U.S. officials point to chronic governance issues and unreliable civil documentation. The central government has reportedly failed to provide law enforcement data to help with vetting, a key requirement under the executive order.
Eritrea
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Eritrea’s refusal to cooperate on deportations or share security information landed it on the list. This isn’t the first time the country has faced U.S. restrictions, and the reasons haven’t changed much—limited trust in their documentation and zero transparency.
Equatorial Guinea
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This small West African nation rarely makes international headlines, but it caught the attention of Homeland Security for poor cooperation on deportations and screening. The U.S. now considers Equatorial Guinea a high-risk source country under the executive order’s framework.
Burundi (Restricted)
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Burundi didn’t make the outright ban list, but travelers from the country now face new restrictions. The updated rules limit access to certain visa types due to concerns about document fraud and overstays. It’s part of a broader U.S. effort to tighten standards without fully closing the door.
Turkmenistan (Restricted)
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Turkmenistan made the restricted list because of insufficient information-sharing with the U.S. government. Officials flagged gaps in vetting and passport verification, which prompted new travel limitations. Though not a total ban, visitors will need to clear more hurdles to enter.
Venezuela (Restricted)
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Not all Venezuelans are blocked, but certain government officials and their families are. The targeted restrictions are a continuation of Trump-era policy that singles out authoritarian leadership while allowing most civilian travel.
