The 2026 Travel Ban: What You Need to Know About the New Visa Suspensions

February 5, 2026

On January 1, 2026, Presidential Proclamation 10998 went into effect, suspending visa issuance for nationals of 39 countries and Palestinian Authority document holders. This sweeping immigration policy has created confusion and concern for thousands of visa applicants, international students, and families pursuing green cards and work visas.

Here’s what you need to know about this travel ban, and, more importantly, what it means for your immigration strategy moving forward.

What Exactly Is Presidential Proclamation 10998?

This proclamation suspends the entry of certain foreign nationals into the United States based on their country of nationality. The stated purpose is to protect national security while the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State conduct enhanced vetting procedures.

The critical detail: This ban applies only to individuals who are outside the U.S. and do not have a valid visa as of January 1, 2026. If you’re already in the United States or held a valid visa on that date, this proclamation does not directly affect your status.

Who Is Affected? Understanding the Three Tiers

The proclamation creates three levels of restrictions depending on your country of origin.

Full Entry Suspensions (19 Countries)

Nationals of these countries face complete bans on all visa categories:

Afghanistan
Burma (Myanmar)
Burkina Faso
Chad
Republic of the Congo
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Haiti
Iran
Laos
Libya
Mali
Niger
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Sudan
Sudan
Syria
Yemen

Additionally, individuals traveling on Palestinian Authority-issued documents are subject to the same full restrictions, regardless of their place of birth or residence.

Partial Suspensions (19 Countries)

Nationals of these countries face restrictions on immigrant visas (green cards) and specific nonimmigrant categories, including B-1/B-2 visitor visas and F, M, and J student and exchange visas:

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

Limited Suspension (1 Country)

Turkmenistan faces restrictions only on immigrant visas, meaning tourist and student visas remain available for Turkmen nationals.

What About People Already in the United States?

This is where the proclamation offers some relief. If you’re already in the U.S., this ban does not affect you. You can continue with your existing status, apply for extensions, change your status, or pursue green cards through adjustment of status, assuming you’re otherwise eligible.

Similarly, if you held a valid visa as of January 1, 2026, you can still use it to enter the United States. However, you should expect increased scrutiny and potentially longer processing times at ports of entry. Customs and Border Protection officers may conduct enhanced vetting, so be prepared with documentation supporting your travel purpose.

No previously issued visas have been revoked under this proclamation. If you have a valid (unexpired) F-1 student visa issued in 2025, for example, it remains valid for entry.

Who Is Exempt From the Ban?

The proclamation includes several exemption categories:

Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) – Your status is not affected
Dual nationals traveling with a passport from a non-designated country
Certain diplomats and their families traveling on A-1, A-2, C-3, or G visas
Long-term U.S. government employees and their families
Athletes, coaches, support staff, and immediate family members traveling for the FIFA World Cup
Ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran

These exemptions are automatic and do not require additional applications.

What Changed From the Previous Travel Ban?

This isn’t the first travel ban implemented in 2025-2026. An earlier version from June 2025 included three exemption categories that have been eliminated in this revised proclamation:

Immediate family immigrant visas – Spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens are no longer automatically exempt
Adoption visas – Families adopting children from affected countries now face restrictions
Afghan Special Immigrant Visas – Afghan nationals who worked with the U.S. government are no longer exempt

The removal of these categories represents a significant hardening of policy and affects thousands of families who previously had clear pathways to reunification.

The Separate Immigrant Visa Pause

Adding another layer of complexity, the Department of State implemented a separate pause on immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries effective January 21, 2026. This pause focuses specifically on enhanced “public charge” vetting, determining whether visa applicants are likely to become dependent on government benefits.

While the countries affected overlap somewhat with Proclamation 10998, the public charge pause is broader and applies to different criteria. We covered this development in detail in a previous blog post.

Can You Still Attend Your Visa Interview?

Yes. The State Department has clarified that visa applicants can still attend scheduled interviews. However, many applicants from affected countries will be found ineligible under Proclamation 10998. Consular officers must apply the proclamation’s restrictions unless you qualify for an exemption or waiver.

Are Waivers Available?

The proclamation allows for waivers on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Secretary of State. To qualify, you must demonstrate that your entry would serve a significant U.S. national interest.

Unfortunately, the proclamation provides minimal guidance on what constitutes “national interest,” and the waiver process is neither automatic nor guaranteed. Each case requires individual assessment, and approval rates remain unclear.

What Should You Do Now?

If you’re affected by this travel ban, here’s your immigration strategy:

For those outside the U.S. without valid visas: Consult with an immigration attorney before proceeding with visa applications. You may be wasting time and money applying for visas that will be denied under the proclamation. Explore whether you qualify for exemptions or alternative visa categories not covered by the ban.

For students with valid F or J visas: You can continue to use your visa for entry, but carry comprehensive documentation supporting your student status, I-20 or DS-2019, enrollment verification, financial evidence, and proof of ties to your home country.

For those already in the U.S.: Focus on maintaining status and exploring adjustment of status options if you’re pursuing green cards. The proclamation doesn’t prevent status changes or adjustments within the U.S.

For employers sponsoring work visas: Review your workforce planning for the affected countries. While H-1B and other work visas aren’t explicitly mentioned in the partial suspension list, the broader immigrant visa restrictions affect your long-term hiring strategy, particularly if you’re considering sponsoring employees for green cards.

The Bigger Picture: Uncertainty in Immigration Policy

Presidential Proclamation 10998 represents the latest shift in an increasingly complex immigration landscape. Between H-1B lottery changes, state-level H-1B freezes, and multiple overlapping travel restrictions, navigating U.S. immigration requires careful planning and professional guidance.

This proclamation is already in effect. It’s not a proposal or a draft, it’s current policy that’s impacting visa processing right now.