White House Expands Travel Ban to Include 39 Countries
New travel restrictions go into effect Jan. 1
President Donald Trump issued a presidential proclamation Dec. 16 imposing visa restrictions on foreign nationals of 39 countries, to become effective Jan. 1.
The proclamation expands and revises a travel ban proclamation from June, establishing two categories of entry restrictions.
Nationals of the following countries are subject to a complete suspension of entry to the U.S.: Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. In addition, individuals traveling on Palestinian Authority-issued or endorsed travel documents are subject to a full suspension of entry.
Entry from some countries is restricted for certain visa categories including employment-based green card visas; B visas for short-term business and tourist travel; F visas for students at U.S. universities; M visas for vocational students; and J visas for exchange visitors. These restrictions apply to nationals of Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cuba, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, the Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The new proclamation is the largest expansion of travel restrictions since 2017 and includes many African nations new to the restricted list.
The travel ban applies only to nationals of the listed countries who are outside of the U.S. on Jan. 1, and do not have a valid visa on that date. People currently holding valid visas may continue to use those visas for travel to the U.S. — existing visas will not be revoked.
In addition, both nationals of and those born in countries that have been newly added to the travel ban list should be aware that they may be subject to a pause on the processing of any immigration benefit application pending with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Workforce and Workplace Implications
The expanded entry restrictions will have significant impacts on employers, schools, and global talent pipelines, likely reducing international student enrollment and constraining education, research, and workforce talent pools. Employers and institutions relying on J-1 exchange visitors should anticipate disruptions affecting internships, training, research, and exchange programs.
Organizations should expect reduced international participation in conferences and events, as no new visas will be issued for attendees from restricted countries.
SHRM advised its members to do the following:
- Identify employees, candidates, interns, and contractors from affected countries and assess risk.
- Review upcoming international travel plans for impacted employees.
- Ensure access to timely legal guidance, particularly for waiver and exception eligibility.
- Provide clear communication to employees affected by the proclamation.
- Align HR, legal, leadership, and business units to ensure consistent guidance and decision-making.
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