Expanded US Travel Ban: Five New Countries Restricted

Wed Dec 17 2025 07:41:44 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Trump administration has added five more nations to the US travel ban, restricting entry in a bid to enhance national security.

President Donald Trump has expanded the US travel ban to include five additional countries: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria, along with restrictions for Palestinian Authority passport holders. The new measures, effective January 1, aim to address security concerns stemming from high visa overstay rates and security vulnerabilities. This marks the third iteration of the travel ban, which has faced significant legal and public opposition in the past.

President Donald Trump has expanded a US travel ban, barring nationals of five additional countries and people travelling on Palestinian Authority-issued documents from entering the US.

The White House stated that the restrictions were intended 'to protect the security of the United States' and will come into force on January 1.

Full-entry restrictions will be imposed on citizens from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria, as well as Palestinian Authority passport holders.

Additionally, the administration moved Laos and Sierra Leone, which had partial restrictions previously, to the full ban list and imposed partial restrictions on fifteen other countries, including Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.

Trump's justification for the expanded travel ban stems from perceived failures in overseas screening and vetting processes, emphasizing high visa overstay rates, unreliable civil records, corruption, terrorist activities, and lack of cooperation in deporting nationals.

This announcement follows the recent arrest of an Afghan national suspected of harming military personnel, which the White House highlighted as a security concern.

This marks the third time Trump has enacted a travel ban, following a similar order in 2017 that prompted nationwide protests and legal challenges, although the policy was ultimately sustained by the US Supreme Court.

The administration indicated that these restrictions will remain until the affected countries demonstrate credible improvements in identity management, information-sharing, and cooperation with US immigration authorities.

Notably, the ban will not apply to lawful permanent residents, many existing visa holders, diplomats, or athletes traveling for major events, with case-by-case waivers available for those whose travel is in the national interest.

Countries with full restrictions include: