Travel Ban 2025: Can You Still Visit or Immigrate to the US?
- Aleksei Zakharov
- Aug 19
- 2 min read
Published: June 2025
In June 2025, the U.S. government announced new travel rules officially called the “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” also known as the Travel Ban.This ban blocks people from certain countries from coming to the U.S., either completely (full ban) or with some limits (partial ban).
If you or your family are from one of the countries listed, here’s what it means for you.
Full Ban Countries
If your country is on this list, the U.S. has stopped giving out all types of visas - both permanent (green card) and temporary (tourist, student, work).You cannot enter the U.S. unless you fit one of the exceptions explained below.
Full ban countries: Afghanistan, Myanmar (Burma), Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen
Partial Ban Countries
If your country is one of listed below, some visas are still possible, but not all.You might still be able to come for certain jobs or short-term purposes — but with more checks and paperwork.
Partial ban countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela
Who’s Not Affected (Exceptions)
Even if your country is on the list, you might still be able to enter the U.S. if you fall into one of these categories:
Green Card holders — If you already live in the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident.
People with valid visas issued before the ban — You can still travel if your visa hasn’t expired.
Dual citizens — If you have another passport from a country not on the list, you can use that.
Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) — Mostly for Afghans who worked with the U.S. government.
Close family of U.S. citizens — Spouses, children, or parents may qualify for an exception.
Religious or ethnic minorities from Iran — May get special consideration.
Diplomats and officials — Certain official visas are not affected.
Athletes and teams — Coming for big events like the 2026 World Cup or 2028 Olympics.
What You Should Do If You’re Affected
Check your visa type — See if it’s in a category still allowed.
Look at exceptions — You might qualify even if your country is on the list.
Act fast — Rules can change quickly, so apply early if you’re eligible.
We Can Help
Immigration rules can be confusing, and the process is stressful, but you don’t have to figure it out alone.Our immigration law firm helps individuals and families navigate these complicated rules, identify possible exceptions, and prepare strong applications or waiver requests.
Schedule a consultation with us today and get clear, practical guidance on your next steps. The sooner you understand your options, the better your chances of success.