On December 16, 2025, the United States expanded its travel restrictions to include additional countries, many of them in Africa. The move followed a new presidential proclamation signed by former President Donald Trump under expanded immigration and national security measures.
The decision adds several countries to both full travel bans and partial travel restrictions, marking one of the broadest updates to U.S. travel policy in recent years.
Countries Added to the Full Travel Ban List
The following 16 countries are now subject to a full U.S. travel ban:
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Burkina Faso
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Mali
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Niger
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South Sudan
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Sierra Leone
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Equatorial Guinea
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Eritrea
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Chad
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Libya
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Somalia
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Republic of the Congo
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Haiti
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Iran
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Laos
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Syria
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Yemen
Nationals from these countries face full entry restrictions under the updated policy.
Countries Under Partial Travel Restrictions
The U.S. also imposed partial travel restrictions on the following countries:
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Angola
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Antigua and Barbuda
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Benin
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Burundi
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Côte d’Ivoire
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Cuba
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Dominica
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Gabon
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The Gambia
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Malawi
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Mauritania
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Senegal
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Tanzania
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Togo
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Zambia
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Zimbabwe
These restrictions may affect specific visa categories or impose additional screening requirements.
Reasons Cited for the Restrictions
U.S. officials outlined several reasons for expanding the travel ban:
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High visa overstay rates, particularly in countries such as Nigeria and Angola
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Security concerns and terrorism risks in regions affected by active militant groups, including Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso
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Refusal to accept deportees, with countries like The Gambia and Sierra Leone cited for non-compliance
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Weak identity verification systems, especially in countries with limited government presence in certain regions
The U.S. government stated that these factors make it difficult to properly screen travellers and ensure border security.
Global Impact and Reactions
The expansion means that a large share of affected countries is now in Africa. Approximately 67 per cent of all nations facing some form of U.S. travel restriction are African states.
The move has sparked criticism from international observers and human rights groups, who argue that such policies strain diplomatic relations and restrict lawful travel and migration.
