Proposed Travel Restrictions on Citizens from 41 Countries
According to a leaked internal memo obtained by Reuters, the Trump administration is considering new travel restrictions that could impact citizens from 41 countries.
🛑 What Are the Proposed Restrictions?
The memo outlines three potential levels of visa restrictions:
- Complete suspension of all visa types
- Partial suspension, targeting tourist and student visas
- Targeted restrictions for countries that fail to resolve specific security concerns
These measures would be based on the U.S. government’s assessment of each country’s cooperation with information sharing and identity verification protocols.
🔁 Comparison to Previous Travel Bans
The proposal recalls the 2017 travel ban, which initially affected nationals from several Muslim-majority countries. That executive order was later upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018 before being rescinded by President Biden during his term.
Former President Biden criticized the travel ban as a stain on the nation’s conscience, citing concerns about its discriminatory impact.
In addition to visa restrictions, former President Trump has previously signed orders requiring enhanced security screening for foreign nationals seeking entry into the United States.
If enacted, these new restrictions could have significant implications for travelers, students, and families from the affected countries. Updates are expected as the administration formalizes its immigration and national security strategy.
The list of affected countries includes:
Full Visa Suspension:
– Afghanistan
– Cuba
– Iran
– Libya
– North Korea
– Somalia
– Sudan
– Syria
– Venezuela
– Yemen
Partial Visa Suspension:
– Eritrea
– Haiti
– Laos
– Myanmar
– South Sudan
Countries at Risk of Partial Suspension:
– Angola
– Antigua and Barbuda
– Belarus
– Benin
– Bhutan
– Burkina Faso
– Cabo Verde
– Cambodia
– Cameroon
– Chad
– Democratic Republic of the Congo
– Dominica
– Equatorial Guinea
– Gambia
– Liberia
– Malawi
– Mauritania
– Pakistan
– Republic of the Congo
– Saint Kitts and Nevis
– Saint Lucia
– Sao Tome and Principe
– Sierra Leone
– East Timor
– Turkmenistan
– Vanuatu
NOTE: A US official emphasized that the list is temporary and subject to change, pending approval from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Last Revision: March 2025.