US Travel Ban 2026: Covered Countries, Exceptions and Pending Cases
The full country list, which visas are suspended, the exceptions as written in the proclamation, and what it means for Arab families.
In short: Since January 1, 2026, a presidential proclamation (No. 10998) fully suspends entry for nationals of 19 countries plus people traveling on Palestinian Authority documents, and partially restricts nationals of 20 more. Among Arab countries, Yemen, Sudan, Syria, Libya and Somalia are under full restrictions and Mauritania under partial ones. Green card holders, and dual nationals traveling on a passport from a country that is not listed, are expressly exempt. As of September 24, 2026, the proclamation remains in effect.
What is the proclamation, and when did it start?
On December 16, 2025, the President signed "Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States," published in the Federal Register as Proclamation 10998. It took effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern on January 1, 2026.
It expands an earlier proclamation from June 2025 (No. 10949). It raised the number of covered countries from 19 to 39, added Palestinian Authority travel documents, and narrowed the exceptions that existed before.
Status as of September 24, 2026: in effect. The proclamation requires the Secretary of State to report every 180 days on whether each restriction should be continued, changed or lifted, so the list can change at any time.
Which countries are covered, fully and partially?
Full restrictions suspend entry for both immigrants and nonimmigrants, meaning almost every visa type. Partial restrictions suspend immigrant visas plus visitor visas (B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2) and student and exchange visas (F, M and J).
| Restriction | Countries |
|---|---|
| Full (continued from June 2025) | Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen |
| Full (new as of Jan. 1, 2026) | Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Syria, and anyone traveling on documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority |
| Partial (continued) | Burundi, Cuba, Togo, Venezuela |
| Partial (new as of Jan. 1, 2026) | Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
| Immigrant visas only | Turkmenistan (its visitor and student visa restriction was lifted) |
For the 15 newly added partial countries, consulates are also told to shorten the validity of any other nonimmigrant visa to the extent the law allows.
The proclamation does not cover Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, the Gulf states, Djibouti or Comoros.
Who does it actually apply to?
The restrictions apply only to nationals of covered countries who meet both conditions:
- They were outside the United States on the effective date; and
- They did not hold a valid visa on that date.
The proclamation also says no visa issued before the effective date will be revoked under it. That does not guarantee entry. A CBP officer still decides admission each time, and a visa can expire or be revoked for other reasons.
What are the exceptions, exactly?
The proclamation expressly exempts:
- Lawful permanent residents (green card holders).
- Dual nationals traveling on a passport issued by a country that is not designated.
- Holders of certain diplomatic and international-organization visas: A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3, G-1 through G-4, and NATO-1 through NATO-6.
- Athletes and team members, coaches, necessary support staff and immediate relatives traveling for the World Cup, the Olympics or another major sporting event designated by the Secretary of State.
- Special Immigrant Visas for US government employees under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(D).
- Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran.
It also does not apply to people granted asylum in the US or refugees already admitted, and it does not stop anyone from seeking asylum. Separately, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General may grant case-by-case exceptions when travel serves a US national interest.
What happens to pending cases?
Your relative is abroad, with a case at a consulate
If they are a national of a fully restricted country, an immigrant or visitor visa generally will not be issued while the proclamation is in force unless an exception applies. Your approved petition is not cancelled and the priority date is kept, but issuance is on hold.
You are in the US, with a case at USCIS
The proclamation itself governs entry from abroad. But USCIS issued two memos (PM-602-0192 on December 2, 2025, and PM-602-0194 on January 1, 2026) placing a hold on decisions for nationals of these countries, including green card, citizenship, work permit and asylum cases.
On August 24, 2026, a federal court in the Northern District of California enjoined both memos in Red Eagle Law v. Edlow, ordered USCIS to decide applications in the normal course, and certified a class covering pending applicants from the 39 countries and the Palestinian Authority. USCIS says it disagrees but will comply pending possible further review. Watch the official USCIS alert and our processing times guide.
A separate pause you should not confuse with this one
In early 2026 the State Department also announced a separate pause on immigrant visa issuance for nationals of a long list of countries, including Arab countries not covered by the travel ban, citing public-benefits concerns. That measure has been challenged in court. Check its current status on the State Department's visa news page before acting.
Green card holders and dual nationals: can they travel?
A green card holder from Yemen, Syria or Sudan is expressly exempt. The usual rules still apply, though: long absences, an expired card or past issues can lead to questions on return. Read our guide to traveling and re-entering on a green card first.
A dual national, such as a Syrian who also holds a Canadian or Turkish passport, benefits from the exception when traveling on the non-covered passport. The proclamation flags citizenship-by-investment programs as a concern, so those cases may get closer scrutiny.
How it plays out: practical scenarios
General examples of how the text applies, not a ruling on any individual case:
- A Sudanese F-1 student in the US with a visa issued in 2025. The visa is not revoked by the proclamation. But if the student travels and the visa has expired, a new one generally can't be issued while the ban lasts. Travel is a real risk to finishing the degree.
- A US citizen of Syrian origin whose wife is in Damascus. Syria is fully restricted and the broad immediate-relative exception is gone. The petition can be filed and the priority date kept, but issuance waits unless a national-interest exception is granted or she travels on another, non-covered nationality.
- A Palestinian who holds a Jordanian passport. The ban targets travel on Palestinian Authority documents. Traveling on the passport of a non-covered country falls under the dual-national exception, with normal vetting.
- A Mauritanian businessman heading to a trade show. Mauritania is partially restricted, so B-1 is suspended. Other nonimmigrant types are not suspended, but their validity is to be shortened.
- A Yemeni green card holder visiting family in Aden. Expressly exempt. What matters is the length of the trip and the card's validity.
Common mistakes
- Assuming a citizen can still bring a spouse from a banned country as before. The broad immediate-relative exception is gone.
- Withdrawing the petition. Don't withdraw an I-130 because of the ban; a priority date cannot be recovered.
- Paying for a "guaranteed waiver." National-interest exceptions are discretionary and granted only by the government.
- Leaving the US without a plan. Someone in the US on a visa who departs may need a new visa to return, and may not get one.
- Mixing up the travel ban and the separate immigrant visa pause. They have different lists, reasons and court status.
Where to check official updates
- Proclamation 10998 in the Federal Register
- The proclamation on WhiteHouse.gov
- State Department visa news
- USCIS alerts
What next?
If you have a relative in a covered country, keep the petition and copies of all correspondence, and follow the priority date with our Visa Bulletin guide so you are ready if restrictions are lifted. If your situation is complicated (asylum, dual nationality, a case pending for a long time), talk to a licensed immigration attorney or a DOJ-accredited legal organization.
Frequently asked questions
Which Arab countries are covered by the 2026 travel ban?
Full restrictions cover Yemen, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia and Palestinian Authority documents. Mauritania is under partial restrictions.
Is Egypt on the travel ban list?
No. Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and the Gulf states are not listed in Proclamation 10998.
Does the ban affect green card holders?
No. Lawful permanent residents are expressly exempt, though normal travel and re-entry rules still apply.
Can a US citizen bring a spouse from Syria or Yemen?
The broad immediate-relative exception was removed, so issuance is on hold unless a case-by-case national-interest exception is granted or the spouse travels on a non-covered passport.
Were visas issued before January 1, 2026 revoked?
No. The proclamation says no visa issued before its effective date is revoked under it, though admission is still up to the CBP officer.
Is USCIS still holding applications from these countries?
On August 24, 2026, a federal court enjoined the USCIS hold memos and ordered normal adjudication. That can change on appeal.
Official sources we reviewed
- The White House — Proclamation: Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals (Dec 16, 2025) ↗
- Federal Register — Proclamation 10998 ↗
- USCIS — Recent Court Order on Hold Policies (Aug 28, 2026) ↗
- USCIS — Policy Memoranda (PM-602-0192, PM-602-0193, PM-602-0194) ↗