Travel Restrictions

Expansion of U.S. Travel Restrictions (December 2025)

Maggio Kattar

On December 16, 2025, the White House issued a new Presidential Proclamation further restricting and limiting the entry of foreign nationals from certain countries into the United States. This action expands on the travel restrictions first implemented in June 2025Travel Restrictions and is based on ongoing national security and public safety concerns identified by the U.S. government.

What the New Proclamation Does

The December 2025 proclamation broadens prior travel restrictions by adding new countries and expanding the scope of existing limitations. The stated basis for these measures is continued deficiencies in identity verification, screening, vetting, and information-sharing by certain foreign governments. According to the proclamation, these deficiencies limit the U.S. government’s ability to reliably assess admissibility and security risks.

As with the June 2025 travel ban, the restrictions apply primarily to entry into the United States, not to individuals already present in the U.S. The proclamation authorizes full or partial suspension of entry for nationals of designated countries, with limited exceptions.

How This Builds on the June 2025 Travel Restrictions

In June 2025, the U.S. imposed full or partial entry restrictions on nationals of 19 countries. The December proclamation expands that framework, bringing the total number of affected countries to a significantly higher level and introducing additional partial restrictions for certain countries that were not previously included.

In practical terms, this means that what began as a more limited travel ban is now broader and more entrenched, and employers should expect these restrictions to remain in place for the foreseeable future unless modified or rescinded by future action.

Countries with Entry Restrictions

The expanded restrictions classify affected countries in two main ways: full suspension of entry and partial restrictions. The original June 2025 travel ban remains in force, and the new proclamation broadens both categories.

A. Full Suspension of Entry (Nationals generally barred from entering the U.S.)

These countries are subject to the most stringent restrictions on entry:

  • Afghanistan
  • Burma (Myanmar)
  • Chad
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Haiti
  • Iran
  • Libya
  • Somalia
  • Sudan
  • Yemen
  • Burkina Faso
  • Laos
  • Mali
  • Niger
  • Sierra Leone
  • South Sudan
  • Syria

In addition, the entry of individuals traveling on Palestinian Authority-issued travel documents is similarly suspended under the expanded proclamation.

B. Partial Entry Restrictions (Limitations and Full Prohibitions)

These countries face limitations rather than full prohibitions. Please refer to the December 16 Proclamation for specific instructions for each of the following countries.

  • Burundi
  • Cuba
  • Togo
  • Venezuela
  • Angola
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Benin
  • Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
  • Dominica
  • Gabon
  • The Gambia
  • Malawi
  • Mauritania
  • Nigeria
  • Senegal
  • Tanzania
  • Tonga
  • Turkmenistan
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Who Is Most Likely to Be Impacted

The proclamation primarily affects foreign nationals who:

  • Are outside the United States, and
  • Are nationals of a designated country subject to full or partial restrictions, and
  • Do not qualify for a specific exception or waiver.

Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) are generally exempt, as are certain diplomatic and official travelers. Importantly, individuals already in the U.S. are not required to take action solely because of this proclamation, but travel plans should be reviewed carefully before departing the country.

What Employers and Impacted Foreign Nationals Should Do Now

For employers, the primary concern is international mobility. If you employ foreign nationals from affected countries, you should:

  • Review upcoming international travel plans with immigration counsel before employees depart the U.S.
  • Anticipate possible delays, denials, or extended processing times for visa appointments and reentry.
  • Consider contingency planning, including remote work arrangements, where appropriate.

For affected foreign nationals, the key takeaway is do not assume reentry will be permitted if you are subject to the proclamation. Employees should:

  • Consult immigration counsel before traveling abroad.
  • Expect heightened scrutiny at consular posts and ports of entry.
  • Understand that waivers or national interest exceptions may be available, but they are discretionary and not guaranteed.

Ongoing Monitoring

Implementation details often evolve after a proclamation is issued. The Department of State, DHS, USCIS, and CBP may issue additional guidance that affects how these restrictions are applied in practice, including visa issuance and inspection at ports of entry. We will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as more agency guidance becomes available. Employers and employees with questions about specific travel or visa situations should contact immigration counsel for individualized advice.