President Trump issued Proclamation 10998 on December 16, 2025, expanding travel restrictions to 39 countries and nationals with Palestinian Authority passports, effective January 1, 2026. This proclamation doubles the scope of the June 2025 travel ban, which had restricted entry from 19 countries, and removes exemptions for immediate family members, adopted children, and Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders.
The expanded ban affects both tourist and business travelers and creates a separate freeze on green card processing at embassies worldwide. Nationals of affected countries cannot enter the U.S. on most visa categories, though those holding valid visas issued before January 1, 2026, may still use them.
Table of Contents
- Which Countries Face Full and Partial Restrictions
- Who Remains Exempt and What Protection Still Exists
- How This Expands the Previous Ban
- Processing Freezes and What They Mean for Green Card Applicants
- What To Do if You Are Affected
- Frequently Asked Questions
Which Countries Face Full and Partial Restrictions
Nineteen countries face full entry suspension: Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Myanmar, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Nationals of these countries cannot enter the U.S. on any visa category.
An additional 20 countries face partial suspension, blocking entry as immigrants and for F, M, J, and B visas (student, exchange visitor, and business/tourist categories). These countries include Angola, Nigeria, Venezuela, Cuba, and Mauritania. Nationals from partially restricted countries may still pursue certain visa paths, though entry as a permanent resident (green card applicant) or temporary visitor is blocked. The proclamation adds a first-ever restriction on individuals holding Palestinian Authority-issued passports, treating them separately from country-based restrictions.
Who Remains Exempt and What Protection Still Exists
Green card holders—lawful permanent residents—remain exempt from the entry ban but face enhanced screening and secondary inspection at U.S. ports of entry. If you already hold a green card, you can travel and return, though your re-entry may take additional time. Nationals with valid visas issued before January 1, 2026, can use those visas to enter the U.S. The key requirement is that the visa was issued—stamped in your passport—before the effective date.
Visas issued on or after January 1, 2026, will not be issued to nationals of restricted countries. Visas are not revoked retroactively; only new applications face denial. A federal court ruling on February 6, 2026, ordered the government to continue processing Afghan Special Immigrant Visa applications despite the proclamation's suspension of that exemption category, partially restoring a pathway for Afghan nationals whose pathway had been removed.
How This Expands the Previous Ban
The June 2025 ban was narrower in two critical ways. First, it permitted immediate-relative immigrant visas, adoption visas, and Afghan Special Immigrant Visas as categorical exemptions. The December 2025 expansion eliminates all three. Afghan nationals with approved SIVs—a humanitarian visa for those who worked with the U.S. military—can no longer use that pathway unless they have an active court case following the February ruling.
Parents, spouses, and adopted children of U.S. citizens from restricted countries now cannot immigrate through their immediate-family relationship. The geographic scope has also doubled from 19 to 39 countries, and the addition of Palestinian Authority passport restrictions introduces a document-based restriction not tied to a nation-state.
Processing Freezes and What They Mean for Green Card Applicants
Beyond the entry ban, the State Department imposed a freeze on immigrant visa (green card) processing at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad for nationals of 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026. This freeze creates a broader processing pause than the proclamation's restrictions alone. If you are abroad and applying for a green card through consular processing, your case may be paused entirely, not just denied.
Processing freezes and entry bans operate independently. A green card application can be suspended even if you are from a country with only partial restrictions. Consulate staff have suspended interviews and background checks for affected nationals, creating backlogs that may persist for months.
What To Do if You Are Affected
If you hold a valid visa issued before January 1, 2026, use it before its expiration date. Visas do not automatically become invalid, but you should confirm your specific visa category is not blocked under the proclamation's partial restrictions. Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country to verify. If you are an immediate family member of a U.S. citizen or an Afghan Special Immigrant Visa applicant, consult an immigration attorney immediately.
The February court ruling on Afghan SIVs is still being litigated, and immediate-family exemptions have been eliminated but may be subject to legal challenge. An attorney can advise whether your case qualifies for any remaining exceptions or pending litigation. If you are abroad and pursuing a green card, expect your case to be delayed or paused.
Request a status update from your consulate and prepare for a potential wait measured in months rather than weeks. Do not travel to the U.S. without consulting an attorney first if you are on a visa application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a visa issued before January 1, 2026?
Yes, if it was issued before the effective date, you can use it to enter the U.S., though some visa categories are partially restricted. Confirm your visa type is not blocked by consulting the State Department's guidance.
Will my green card be revoked?
No. Green card holders remain exempt from the ban and can travel and return to the U.S., though they face enhanced screening upon re-entry.
Is there any way around this for immediate family members?
The immediate-family exemption has been eliminated under this proclamation. An immigration attorney can advise if legal challenges or pending litigation may affect your case.
When can Afghan Special Immigrant Visa processing resume?
A federal court ordered processing to continue as of February 6, 2026, but the legal status remains contested. Consult an attorney or the State Department for the current status of applications.