In a significant shake-up to US immigration and travel guidelines, President Donald Trump has signed a new proclamation that will limit access to the United States for citizens from 19 nations. The ruling, structured as a federal safety standard, will take effect on June 9, 2025.
The statement sets a total travel prohibition on 12 nations, totally halting visa provision and access. An additional seven nations will experience partial limitations, which differ by visa classification.
This action echoes Trump’s controversial 2017 travel prohibition and is again triggering worldwide debate.
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Total Travel Ban For 12 Nations: Who Is Impacted
The United States will restrict nationals of these 12 countries from going under almost all visa classifications. It will halt providing tourist, business, student, and immigrant visas and may also check and refuse access to travelers who already hold authentic visas.
Prohibited Nations (From June 9, 2025)
- Sudan
- Afghanistan
- Yemen
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Somalia
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Libya
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
Significant Restrictions For These Countries
- General access prohibition: Nearly no access permitted, with only severely restricted exclusions for diplomatic or emergency humanitarian situations.
- Visa halt: The provision of almost all non-immigrant and immigrant visas has been suspended, with restricted exemptions primarily for diplomats and emergency humanitarian cases.
- Existing visas at risk: Travelers with previously issued authentic visas may still be denied access, subject to individual case reviews.
Partial Travel Restrictions For 7 Countries
Beyond the total prohibition, seven extra nations will experience targeted limitations. These standards typically involve increased examination, a halt to certain visa classes, or significant processing delays.
Nations Experiencing Partial Restrictions
- Venezuela
- Burundi
- Turkmenistan
- Cuba
- Togo
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
Major Limitations Clarified
- Vaid visas may be refused: Even travelers who already handle a genuine United States visa could be denied access based on personal case evaluations.
- Full access prohibition: Nationals from the impacted nations will not be permitted to enter the United States under any type of visa, including tourist, business, or immigrant visas.
- Restricted exemptions only: Access may be allowed in exceptional cases, such as for diplomats or humanitarian emergencies, subject to rigorous checks.
- All visas halted: The United States will suspend the provision of both non-immigrant and immigrant visas to persons from these countries; further notice will follow.
Harvard University Targeted
In a separate statement on June 4, 2024, President Trump temporarily prohibited the acceptance of new international students to Harvard University.
Motive: National safety concerns. The Trump government accuses Harvard of declining to cooperate with national inspections into international students allegedly engaged in suspicious exercises.
What This Implies
- A six-month halt on foreign student acceptances to Harvard (with prospective extensions.)
- The action could set a precedent for targeting other institutions under the federal safety basis.
Columbia University Also Under Examination
Columbia University in New York is also in the authority’s crosshairs. The Trump government has threatened to cancel its national acknowledgment, citing its alleged negligence in addressing harassment against Jewish students.
If implemented, this would:
- Deprive Columbia of national financing
- Affects student financial support qualification
- Generates huge uncertainty for local and international students.
New ESTA Condition: Compulsory Selfie For Visa-Free Travelers
Travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) nations are not excluded from the modifications. The US authority has added a new biometric requirement to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) process.
What Is New
- Travelers are required to now upload a facial picture (selfie) during their ESTA request.
- The facial picture will be used for automated facial identification cross-matching with passport information.
- This is applied to the mobile app instantly, with a staged rollout to the web rendition.
Why This Prohibition Now
Trump highlighted a recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, which involved an Egyptian citizen settling unlawfully in the United States, as a catalyst for the new statement. Even though Egypt is not on the prohibited list, Trump used the event to highlight weaknesses in the current immigration structure.
What Travelers Should Do
If you are making plans to travel to the United States in 2025, mostly from or through the impacted nations, below are significant steps to take:
- Review your visa status: Even authentic visas could be refused.
- Review the new ESTA conditions: Ensure you present all required biometric information.
- Check university statements: International students are required to monitor updates from their universities, especially when applying to prestigious institutions like Harvard or Columbia.
- Be prepared for delays: Elevated safety reviews may significantly prolong visa processing times.
This travel statement highlights a return to Trump-era immigration techniques, with a broader impact on global mobility, higher education, and visa-free travel. With further guideline modifications feasible, foreign travelers are advised to remain informed and seek legal advice as necessary.
