US Travel Ban Reaches 39 Countries in 2026: Complete List

In January 2026, the United States implemented one of the largest entry restrictions for foreign citizens in recent history. Presidential Proclamation 10998, signed on December 16, 2025, and in effect since January 1, 2026, fully or partially suspended the issuance of visas and the entry of nationals from 39 countries – as well as holders of travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority. The measure represents a significant expansion of the original travel ban, which in June 2025 affected 19 nations.

For Brazilians, the key information is that Brazil is not on any of the lists. Brazilian citizens can continue applying for all categories of U.S. visas without the additional restrictions imposed by Proclamation 10998. However, understanding the scope of these measures is essential for anyone involved in immigration processes, especially multinational families and employers with a diverse international workforce.

How the Measure Evolved

In June 2025, the Trump administration used Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to suspend the entry of nationals from 19 countries, citing national security concerns and failures in cooperation for sharing immigration information. The original list included countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Russia, among others.

Six months later, the White House dramatically expanded the scope of the measure. Proclamation 10998 incorporated 20 new countries, restructured the restrictions into two levels of severity, and removed exceptions that existed in the previous version – including waivers for family reunification and international adoption. The result was the transformation of a temporary suspension into a more complex and comprehensive regulatory regime.

Total Visa Suspension

The following 19 countries face a complete suspension of visa issuance – both immigrant and non-immigrant – and a ban on entry for their nationals:

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

Holders of documents issued by the Palestinian Authority are also subject to total suspension. For nationals of these countries, virtually all visa categories are unavailable, with extremely limited exceptions for diplomats and cases of national interest.

Partial Restrictions

A second group of 20 countries faces partial restrictions, specifically affecting immigrant visas (family and employment-based green cards) and certain non-immigrant visa categories – including B-1/B-2 (tourism and business), F (academic student), M (vocational student), and J (exchange):

• Angola
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Benin
• Burundi
• Ivory Coast
• Cuba
• Dominica
• Gabon
• Gambia
• Malawi
• Mauritania
• Nigeria
• Senegal
• Tanzania
• Togo
• Tonga
• Turkmenistan
• Venezuela
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

For nationals of these countries, temporary work visas such as H-1B, L-1, and O-1 remain available, as they are not included in the partial suspension. However, obtaining green cards, tourist, student, and exchange visas is blocked until further notice.

Visas Affected by Category

Proclamation 10998 operates at two distinct levels of restriction. For the 19 countries with total suspension, no visa category – immigrant or non-immigrant – is available. This includes family green cards (IR-1, CR-1, F2A), employment-based green cards (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-5), work visas (H-1B, L-1, O-1), tourist visas (B-1/B-2), and student visas (F-1, J-1).

For the 20 countries with partial restriction, the situation is more nuanced. Immigrant visas of all categories are suspended, as are B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas. However, temporary work visas based on employer petitions – such as H-1B, L-1, O-1, P-1, and TN – continue to be processed normally. This creates an asymmetrical situation in which a Nigerian professional can obtain an H-1B but not a tourist visa.

Limited Exceptions

Unlike previous versions of the travel ban, Proclamation 10998 has significantly reduced the available exceptions. The remaining waivers include lawful permanent residents (green card holders), holders of valid visas issued before January 1, 2026, diplomats in certain categories, and individuals whose entry the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) determines serves the national interest of the United States.

The removal of the exception for family reunification and international adoption is one of the most impactful changes. Even spouses and minor children of American citizens from countries with total suspension may face barriers to obtaining visas, depending solely on the case-by-case determination of national interest.

Brazil Not on the Lists

Brazil is not included in either of the two lists of Proclamation 10998. Brazilian citizens remain eligible for all categories of U.S. visas without additional travel ban restrictions. Brazilians with dual nationality from one of the 39 listed countries may, however, be affected depending on the passport used in the application and individual circumstances.

On March 30, 2026, USCIS announced the partial lifting of the pause on processing asylum applications from applicants from “countries not considered high risk,” although the agency did not specify which countries fall under this classification or whether the list coincides with the 39 countries of Proclamation 10998.

Impacts for Families and Employers

For American employers, the measure complicates the hiring of professionals from countries with partial restrictions in the affected visa categories. Companies that rely on J-1 exchange programs or hiring F-1 international students from the 20 countries with partial restrictions need to consider alternatives or redirect recruitment to other nationalities.

For multinational families, the impact is profound. The suspension of immigrant visas for all 39 countries directly affects family reunification processes already marked by years-long waiting lists at the National Visa Center (NVC). Ongoing cases may face significant additional delays, and the absence of a family exception makes the situation particularly restrictive for spouses and children of American citizens.

Proclamation 10998 does not set a defined end date. The government has indicated that the suspension will remain in place until screening processes are deemed adequate and countries demonstrate satisfactory cooperation in sharing security information. Monitoring official updates from the Department of State and USCIS remains essential for anyone directly or indirectly affected by these restrictions.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.