U.S. Government Travel Bans
Updated December 17, 2025
Please be advised of the current U.S. government travel bans for the designated countries.
The bans apply to persons traveling on passports or other travel documents issued by the designated countries.
Full Ban
No entry to the U.S. in most immigrant and nonimmigrant visa classifications, including F-1, J-1, H-1B, O-1, B-1, and B-2.
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Countries on the full ban list effective since June 9, 2025. |
Countries added to the full ban list on December 16, 2025. |
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Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen |
Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Syria and persons traveling on documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority |
Partial Ban
No entry to the U.S. in F-1, J-1, B-1, and B-2 visa classification.
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Countries on the partial ban list effective since June 9, 2025. The full ban for these countries remains in effect. |
Countries added to the partial ban list on December 16, 2025. The partial ban for these additional countries will be effective on January 1, 2026. |
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Burundi, Cuba, Togo, and Venezuela |
Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d ‘Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe |
Ban Partially Lifted
The June 9, 2025 partial ban for Turkmenistan will be lifted. Effective January 1, 2026, citizens of Turkmenistan can enter the U.S. in nonimmigrant visa classifications including F-1, J-1, H-1B, O-1, B-1, and B-2, but not in immigrant visa classifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the new bans become effective?
The new bans become effective at 12:01 AM on January 1, 2026 (just after midnight as the date changes from December 31, 2025 to January 1, 2026). (The June 9, 2025 have been in effect since that date.)
Are there any exceptions to the bans?
The full and partial bans do not apply to U.S permanent residents (green card holders); dual nationals of a designated country when the individual is traveling on a passport issued by a non-designated country; asylees; refugees; diplomatic and international organization visas; and athletes traveling to the U.S. to participate in the 2026 World Cup or 2028 Olympics.
I am from one of the designated countries and am currently in the U.S. in (for example) F-1 status. Does the ban impact my current status?
No. The bans do not impact your current U.S. immigration status, but if you leave the U.S. while your country is on a ban list, you will not be able to return to the U.S. while your country is on the ban list.
I am a current VCU student/scholar/employee from one of the countries on the January 1, 2026 full or partial ban list–and I am currently outside the U.S. (for example, for Winter Break). Do you have specific travel guidance for me?
Yes. Since the ban becomes effective on January 1, 2026, you should return to the U.S. before January 1, 2026 (meaning arrival in the U.S. prior to 11:59 PM on December 31, 2025).
What is the impact of the bans on new and existing visa stamps?
The bans do not specifically prevent U.S. consulates from issuing visa stamps but, since the bans impact the ability of nationals of designated countries from entering the U.S., a consulate may be unwilling to issue a visa stamp to you while the country's ban is in effect.
The bans do not invalidate (cancel) valid visa stamps issued to nationals of designated countries prior to the effective date of the bans, so the visa stamps could, in theory, be used to request admission or readmission to the U.S. prior to the visa stamp's expiration date.
But having a valid visa stamp is not a guarantee of admission or readmission to the U.S. and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have broad authority to delay or deny your admission to the U.S.
Will countries be added to, or removed from, the bans?
The U.S. government reserves the right to add or remove countries from the ban lists at its discretion and without any or much prior notice.
Should I travel internationally at this time?
For general guidance about international travel, please review our online Travel FAQs.
International travel always includes a risk of a delayed return to the U.S. due to many factors. If your country is listed on the full or partial travel ban, the risk of a delayed return to the U.S. is greatly increased.
If you cannot afford the risk of a delayed return to the U.S. (regardless of the reason for the delay), we encourage you to reconsider your travel plans.
Where can I go with questions?
If you have questions or concerns about the travel bans, please contact GEO Immigration Services by email at geois@vcu.edu.