Trump’s 2026 Travel Ban: 39 Countries Affected
What green card holders and immigrants need to know about the expanded travel ban effective January 1, 2026.
⚠️ IMPORTANT UPDATE
The travel ban has been expanded from 19 to 39 countries as of January 1, 2026. Green card holders are exempt but may face enhanced screening.
Fully Restricted Countries (19)
Immigrant and nonimmigrant visa issuance is fully suspended for nationals of:
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, and Yemen.
Partially Restricted Countries (20)
Immigrant visas and select nonimmigrant visas (B, F, M, J) are suspended for nationals of:
Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania and others.
Who Is Exempt?
- Green card holders (LPRs) — Fully exempt
- Those physically present in the U.S. on January 1, 2026
- Those with valid visas on that date
- Diplomatic visa holders
Impact on Citizenship Applications
The travel ban does not directly affect citizenship applications for current green card holders. However, USCIS processing times may be affected due to increased workload. If you’re eligible, consider applying for citizenship sooner rather than later.
Other 2026 Immigration Changes
- Public Charge Rule: Expanded test for green card applicants
- Facial Recognition: Now collected from all noncitizens at entry/exit points
- Social Media Screening: Enhanced vetting of social media accounts
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