By Sang M. Shin and Yenmi Tang

The United States has announced a new set of travel restrictions targeting nationals from 19 countries, with full entry bans imposed on 12 nations and partial restrictions on 7 others. The policy, set to take effect on June 9, 2025, is part of a broader initiative to tighten immigration controls. Despite the sweeping nature of these bans, several important exemptions have been outlined, allowing certain individuals to continue traveling to or immigrating to the U.S. under specific circumstances.

Countries Subject to Full Entry Bans

Nationals from the following 12 countries will be prohibited from entering the United States:

• Afghanistan
• Myanmar (Burma)
• Chad
• Republic of Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Haiti
• Iran
• Libya
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Yemen

These restrictions apply to most travelers from these countries, with only a few exceptions as detailed below.

Countries Facing Partial Travel Bans

In addition to the full bans, the Presidential Proclamation imposes a partial travel ban on nationals from the following 7 countries:

• Burundi
• Cuba
• Laos
• Sierra Leone
• Togo
• Turkmenistan
• Venezuela

For these countries, the U.S. will suspend the issuance of both immigrant visas and certain nonimmigrant visas, specifically B-1 (business), B-2 (tourist), F (student), M (vocational student), and J (exchange visitor) visas.

Key Exemptions

• Green Card Holders: Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) are exempt from the ban.
• Dual Citizens: U.S. citizens who also hold citizenship in a banned country are not subject to the ban.
• Family-Based Immigrants: Immigrants from the banned countries who are seeking visas through close U.S. family members (spouses, children, or parents who are American citizens) may still apply.
• Certain Athletes and Coaches: Athletes and coaches, along with their families, traveling to the United States for major sporting events, such as the World Cup or the Olympics, are exempt.
• Refugees and Asylees: Individuals who have already been admitted as refugees or granted asylum are not subject to the ban.
• Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Holders: Afghans eligible for the Special Immigrant Visa program, which is for those who assisted the U.S. government during the war in Afghanistan, are exempt.
• Iranians Fleeing Religious Persecution: Iranians who are members of religious minorities, such as Christians, and are fleeing persecution are also exempt.

Legal Background and Context

This new travel ban follows a series of similar efforts during President Trump’s first term. The proclamation aims to protect U.S. citizens from terrorism and security threats by addressing inadequate vetting and frequent visa overstays from certain countries. It follows a review under Executive Order 14161 to identify countries with insufficient vetting capabilities.

The current version of the travel ban is designed to be more legally robust than previous iterations. Legal experts note that the administration has incorporated lessons learned from prior litigation, including a more thorough review process and a broader range of countries. The Supreme Court previously upheld the President’s authority to impose such bans, and the new order is expected to be less vulnerable to legal challenges.

Implementation and Review

The list of affected countries will be reviewed periodically, with reports due to the President within 90 days of the proclamation and every 180 days thereafter. The Secretary of State is also required to review whether Egypt should be added to the list.

The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the firm, its clients, or any of its or their respective affiliates. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For assistance, please contact an attorney in Jackson Walker’s Business Immigration & Compliance practice.

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