New Presidential Proclamation: Expansion of U.S. Travel Restrictions

Effective Date: January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST

On December 16, 2025, the White House announced an update to the Presidential Proclamation titled, "Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States" which further expands the list of countries whose nationals will be restricted on entering the U.S. The travel restrictions should not affect students already in the U.S. or those students with a valid F-1 or J-1 visa prior to the effective date of the updated proclamation. The proclamation is effective at 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on January 1, 2026.

Full Suspension of Entry

The Proclamation continues full restrictions of nationals from the 12 countries announced in the original Presidential Proclamation from June 4, but includes 7 additional countries to the full suspension from entering the U.S. list. This restriction applies to F-1 and J-1 student visa categories:

• Afghanistan
• Burkina Faso*
• Burma
• Chad
• Republic of the Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Haiti
• Iran
• Laos*
• Libya
• Mali*
• Niger*
• Palestinian Authority* (individuals who seek to travel on any travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority)
• Sierra Leone*
• Somalia
• South Sudan*
• Sudan
• Syria*
• Yemen

Countries marked with an * above are the newly added countries. Laos and Sierra Leone have been changed from the previous partial restrictions list to the full restrictions list.

Partial Suspension of Entry

The updated Proclamation continues the partial restrictions of nationals from 4 countries but adds 15 more countries that now have partial restrictions or limitations, affecting entry on immigrant and some nonimmigrant visas. This restriction applies to F-1 and J-1 student visa categories:

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

Who does this Affect?

As outlined in the Presidential Proclamation, the suspension of entry to the U.S. is applicable only to nationals of the listed countries who:

• are outside the U.S. on January 01, 2026 12:01 am eastern standard time, and
• do not have a valid visa on January 01, 2026 12:01 am eastern standard time

Current Students and Alumni

Current F and J international students from the affected countries with valid visas and who are physically present in the U.S. should not be subject to the updated travel restrictions. However if you have plans to travel outside the U.S., International Student Services strongly advises you to consult our office or an immigration attorney. If you decide to travel, visa renewal and re-entry in the U.S. is not guaranteed.

Incoming Students

Incoming F and J international students who are outside the U.S. and have been issued a visa before January 01, 2026 should not be affected by these entry bans. However, incoming international students who have not been issued a visa by January 01, 2026 will likely not be eligible to obtain a visa or travel to the U.S. according to the updated restrictions by this Presidential Proclamation. We recommend reaching out to SUU International Admissions to discuss your options.