President Donald Trump has signed a new travel ban targeting 19 countries that block or restrict access to US visas for millions of people around the world. Orders effective Monday include a complete suspension of travel from 12 countries and partial restrictions to seven more countries. If you are in one of the countries affected (or have family or employees), here is what the new policy means to you, what kind of visa will be affected, and who may still qualify for an exception.
Who is affected by the new travel ban?
Trump's declaration divides the target country into two groups. Twelve countries face full suspension of entry, while seven are facing partial visa restrictions. This is what actually means:
Countries that are completely prohibited
Citizens of the next 12 countries are prohibited from entering the United States on both immigrant and non-immigrant visas.
AfghanistanMyanmar (Burma) Republic of Chad, Congo Equatorial GuineaEritreaHaitiIranLibyaSomaliaSudanYemen
This includes all visa categories, from tourist and student visas to employment and family-based green cards.
important:
Only narrow exceptions apply, such as green card holders, Afghans who work with individuals employed by US military overseas and overseas governments, and those who are adopted, namely A, G, NATO, and certain special immigration visa recipients, such as holders of certain C transit visas.
Partially restricted countries
There are limited restrictions in seven countries. Citizens of the following countries are no longer able to receive immigration or non-immigration visas in the categories B-1/B-2 (Tourism and Business), F, M, and J (Students and Exchange Visitors):
Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra, Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela
Workplace visas and other non-immigrant categories not specifically designated by the prohibition may still be issued. However, Trump has directed consul officials to reduce the validity of these visas where permitted by law, making long-term travel and employment difficult. For most people in these countries, the options for visiting, studying or immigration to the United States are now severely limited.
What has changed since the 2017 travel ban?
Trump's original travel ban in 2017 caused confusion at airports and was challenged multiple times in court before the US Supreme Court upheld a narrower version. The new policy is based on its previous framework, but there are some important changes.
More Countries: This list is broader, with more regions, particularly in Africa and the Caribbean. More Preparations: This time, the administration provided advance notice before the ban comes into effect, and made the decision based on formal reviews by the State Department, Homeland Security and Intelligence Agency. Broader rationale: The 2017 ban focused on majority Muslim countries, but this version focuses on visa overreach rates, lack of identity verification, and low cooperation in deportation.
The ban comes days after the Colorado terrorist attacks involving Egyptian men who overestimated tourist visas.
“The recent terrorist attacks in Boulder, Colorado highlight the extreme dangers posed to our country by the entry of foreigners that have not been properly vetted,” Trump said in a video posted on social media. “We don't want them.”
Still, critics say the fundamental goal is the same. “This policy is not about national security, it is about the sector and slander that seeks security and opportunity in the United States,” Oxfam America President Abby Maxman said in a statement in the Associated Press.
What does ban mean to you?
If you are planning a trip to the US from one of the affected countries, here are some things you need to keep in mind.
Several exceptions apply, including diplomatic travel, special immigration visas, adoption cases, and strong written family unification. The new restrictions will take effect on Monday, June 9th, 2025. From that day onwards, the US embassy and consulate will no longer issue visas in suspended categories. If you already have a valid visa or green card, you will not be affected by the ban. You can still travel to the US, but you should expect additional screenings at the border. Visa renewal and extensions may be impossible once the current visa expires, especially for students, tourists and family-based immigrants. The travel ban does not directly restrict asylum or hospitalization of refugees, but these programs are already limited under separate policies.
Boundless continues to track this policy and will provide updates as more information becomes available. If you think you are affected, consult a qualified immigration lawyer or reach out to reliable legal resources.
