Presidential Proclamation: Expanding U.S. Entry Restrictions

December 16, 2025

On December 16, 2025, the White House issued an updated Presidential Proclamation titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.”

This action expands prior travel restrictions and adds additional countries subject to full or partial limitations on entry. The updated policy took effect at 12:01 a.m. (EST) on January 1, 2026.

What Is Changing?

The proclamation builds on earlier restrictions issued in June 2025
Additional countries have been added to both full and partial entry restrictions
Some countries previously under partial restrictions are now subject to full restrictions
In total, the policy now affects a significantly expanded group of countries

Full Suspension of Entry

Entry into the United States is suspended for all immigrant and nonimmigrant visa categories, including F-1 and J-1, for nationals of the following countries:

Country / Territory
Afghanistan
Burkina Faso*
Burma (Myanmar)
Chad
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Haiti
Iran
Laos*
Libya
Mali*
Niger*
Republic of the Congo
Sierra Leone*
Somalia
South Sudan*
Sudan
Syria*
Yemen
Palestinian Authority travel document holders*

*Indicates countries or groups newly added or expanded under the December 2025 proclamation.

Partial Suspension of Entry

Entry restrictions apply to certain visa categories (including F, M, and J visas) for nationals of:

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

*Indicates countries newly added under the updated proclamation.

Who Is Affected?

These restrictions apply only to individuals who:

Are outside the United States as of January 1, 2026, and
Do not have a valid visa as of that date

If you are already in the U.S., or you held a valid visa on January 1, 2026, these restrictions may not apply to you.

What This Means for Students and Scholars

Current Students and Scholars

If you are:

Currently in the United States, and
Hold a valid F-1 or J-1 visa

you are generally not subject to the entry restrictions at this time.

However:

Travel outside the U.S. may carry significant risk
Visa renewal and reentry are not guaranteed

Consult VIS before making any international travel plans.

Incoming Students

If you are outside the U.S.:

If you were issued a visa before January 1, 2026, you may still be eligible to enter
If you do not have a valid visa as of January 1, 2026, you will likely not be eligible for visa issuance or entry under the updated restrictions

If you are affected:

Graduate students should contact your Academic Department
Undergraduate students should contact Undergraduate Admissions

Need Help?

If you have questions about how this proclamation may affect your situation, contact Visa and Immigration Services (VIS) before making travel or visa plans.