President Donald J. Trump on December 16, 2025, signed a new presidential proclamation expanding the United States travel ban, placing seven additional countries under full entry suspension. With this move, the total number of countries facing near-complete US travel restrictions has risen to nineteen, according to the White House.
US officials said the decision followed an extensive national security review, citing deficiencies in identity verification systems, passport controls, biometric data sharing, and counter-terrorism cooperation in the affected countries.
Key Takeaways
• The US has expanded its travel ban by adding seven more countries under full entry suspension.
• The total number of fully restricted countries now stands at nineteen.
• The decision is based on national security and document verification concerns.
• The restrictions remain subject to periodic review.
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Countries Newly Added to the Full Travel Ban
Under the December 16 proclamation, the following seven countries have been placed under full entry suspension, meaning most immigrant and non-immigrant visas have been halted.
Syria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Laos, and Sierra Leone.
US authorities said the affected nations failed to meet baseline security standards related to civil documentation, criminal record sharing, and law-enforcement cooperation.
Countries Already Under Full Ban Since June 2025
Prior to the latest expansion, the United States had already imposed a full travel ban on nationals from twelve countries under a proclamation issued earlier this year.
The twelve countries are Afghanistan, Iran, Yemen, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Myanmar (Burma), and Haiti.
US officials said long-standing instability, terrorism concerns, and the absence of reliable identity verification systems led to their continued inclusion on the list.
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Why This Decision Matters
The expansion of the US travel ban has wide-ranging implications for international travel, immigration, education, and diplomatic relations, particularly across Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia.
The policy is being closely watched by governments and human rights organisations, as it affects migration pathways, visa access, and bilateral engagement with Washington.
What the US Government Said
The White House said the proclamation reflects America’s commitment to enforcing uniform security standards at its borders and preventing the misuse of its visa and immigration systems.
Officials stressed that the decision was not based on religion or ethnicity but on technical assessments of security cooperation and documentation reliability.
What Happens Next
US authorities stated that the travel restrictions will be reviewed periodically and could be revised if affected countries demonstrate measurable improvements in passport security, biometric data integrity, and information-sharing with American agencies.
Until such benchmarks are met, the restrictions will remain in effect as part of the administration’s broader border security strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many countries are currently under the US travel ban?
As of December 16, 2025, the United States has imposed a full travel ban on nationals from nineteen countries.
2. Which countries were added in the latest expansion?
Syria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Laos, and Sierra Leone were added under full entry suspension.
3. Are there any exemptions to the travel ban?
Lawful permanent residents, certain diplomats, and individuals holding valid visas issued before the proclamation may still be eligible for entry.
4. Is the US travel ban permanent?
US officials have said the restrictions are subject to review and may be adjusted if security conditions improve.
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