Find up to date travel restriction information below. Additional updates on visa applications and travel guidance on our Traveling webpage.

On December 16, 2025, President Trump signed a Proclamation titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.” This order is effective beginning 12:01 am Eastern Time, Thursday, January 1, 2026.

The order FULLY bans entry into the United States for citizens of the following countries:

  • Afghanistan
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burma
  • Chad
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Haiti
  • Iran
  • Laos
  • Libya
  • Mali
  • Niger
  • Sierra Leone
  • Somalia
  • South Sudan
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Yemen
  • Individuals using travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority (PA)

The order bans entry of all immigrants B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J nonimmigrant visa holders into the United States for citizens of the following countries:

  • Angola
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Benin
  • Burundi
  • Cote d’Ivoire
  • Cuba
  • Dominica
  • Gabon
  • The Gambia
  • Malawi
  • Mauritania
  • Nigeria
  • Senegal
  • Tanzania
  • Togo
  • Tonga
  • Venezuela
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

The order bans entry of all immigrants into the United States for citizens of Turkmenistan.

Citizens of the countries listed above – we strongly advise that you avoid traveling abroad at this time. Based on this presidential proclamation, if you leave the United States, there is a strong likelihood that you will not be allowed to return to the United States until the ban is lifted. Additional travel ban modifications are possible in the future.

If it is urgent that you travel outside the U.S. or if you are making plans for future travel, please contact the Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) before finalizing your travel plans. And remember, it is essential that you maintain your lawful immigration status.

Contact us with any questions or concerns regarding these Proclamation, future travel plans or maintaining your immigration status.

Before traveling abroad, be sure to check the WashU Travel Suspension Conditions webpage.

Continue to read your emails and review our website for updates. 

Impact on student and scholar visas

None. The Presidential Proclamation specifically states that it does not revoke the validity of existing visas of any visa holders. However, the Department of State has paused new visa issuance for applicants from these countries as indicated by visa type above.

Impact on students and scholar currently in the U.S.

None. These travel restrictions only affect the ability of citizens from the listed countries to enter the U.S. It does not impact the ability of those already lawfully inside the U.S. to remain and continue their activities as long as they continue to maintain lawful immigration status.

Exceptions to the ban

The travel restrictions in the Presidential Proclamation include exceptions. It lists that persons who already have lawful permanent resident status (‘green card’ holders) are exempt from the ban.

In addition, it states that entry restrictions only apply to those persons who are outside of the U.S. and who do not already have a valid visa on the effective date of the proclamation. It is unclear how U.S. Customs and Border Protection may or may not enforce this exception. However, the Department of State website from December 19, 2025 also clearly includes this exception.

Please see this language at the bottom of the linked website:
“Presidential Proclamation 10998 only applies to foreign nationals who are outside the United States on the effective date AND do not hold a valid visa on the effective date (January 1, 2026 at 12:01 a.m. EST). Foreign nationals, even those outside the United States, who hold valid visas as of the effective date are not subject to Presidential Proclamation 10998.  No visas issued before January 1, 2026 at 12:01 a.m. EST, have been or will be revoked pursuant to the Proclamation.“

As stated above, if you do plan to travel, it is essential that you first reach out to OISS to discuss risks. We also strongly recommend that you travel with a printout of the Department of State website that list this exception if you qualify.

Disclaimer Statement 

The Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) provides resources and content for general informational and educational purposes only. This information does not constitute legal advice. The information provided is subject to changes in the law. For specific legal questions or guidance, students and scholars are encouraged to seek personalized legal advice from a qualified attorney at their own discretion and expense.