These 36 countries are currently under review due to the expansion of the US travel ban
The United States is preparing one of the most sweeping extensions of its travel ban in modern history.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed in early December that the Trump administration plans to expand the list of countries subject to restrictions more than 30citing national security concerns and unstable governments that cannot cooperate with U.S. oversight processes.
“I won’t be specific about the number, but it’s more than 30.” Noem said this in a December interview on Fox News. “If they don’t have a stable government there… why would we allow people from that country to come here to the United States?”
The extended ban will impact both immigrants and non-immigrant travelers– from tourists and business visitors to students and family visa applicants. Homeland Security officials have emphasized tighter controls following a fatal shooting in Washington DC in November 2025 involving an Afghan who had been granted entry under a previous resettlement policy.
Countries under review for addition (up to 36 countries)
An internal State Department memo from June 2025 stated until 36 “countries of concern” who could face a full or partial ban if they fail to meet U.S. security standards, including cooperation on identity verification and deportation assistance. While the new expansion has not announced the latest additions, it is widely expected that many of these countries will be part of the updated ban. The potential list includes:
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Burkina Faso
- Cape Verde
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Ivory Coast
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Ethiopia
- Egypt
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Kyrgyzstan
- Liberia
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- South Sudan
- Syria
- Tanzania
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Vanuatu
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Current ‘completely banned’ countries (12 countries)
Citizens of these countries are completely barred from entering the US under Presidential Proclamation 10949, signed on June 4, 2025:
- Afghanistan
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Chad
- Republic of Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
Partial restrictions (7 countries)
Travel to the US is restricted for certain visa categories (tourists, students, business travelers), although diplomats and dual nationals may receive exemptions:
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
What travelers need to know
- The initial travel restrictions for 2025 were targeted 19 countriesof which 12 are completely banned and 7 under partial restrictions.
- The expanded ban will also provide coverage more than 30 countrieswhile the addition process is still ongoing and final names are expected soon.
- Those from the countries surveyed face possible future visa denials, longer vetting delays, or outright bans if governments fail to meet U.S. security criteria.
The expansion underlines a continued focus on national security following high-profile incidents and reflects the government’s tough approach to immigration. Now that the official list of recently banned countries has been finalized, travelers, students and businesses are advised to monitor announcements from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and their local embassies.
