17th December, 2025
The administration of President Donald Trump has announced expanded entry restrictions on foreign nationals from 24 countries, citing persistent deficiencies in screening, vetting and information-sharing that it said pose risks to United States national security and public safety.
The decision was disclosed on Tuesday in a White House fact sheet titled “President Donald J. Trump Further Restricts and Limits the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.”
According to the document, the proclamation introduces a full suspension of entry for nationals of eight countries and partial restrictions for citizens of 16 others. The measures affect both immigrants and non-immigrants travelling on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M and J visa categories.
The White House said the move is aimed at preventing the entry of individuals about whom the US lacks sufficient information to properly assess security risks, while strengthening enforcement of immigration laws.
Countries under full suspension
Nationals of the following are subject to a full suspension of entry into the United States:
Burkina Faso
Laos
Mali
Niger
Sierra Leone
South Sudan
Syria
Holders of Palestinian Authority–issued travel documents
The administration cited terrorism threats, armed conflict, weak or non-existent central authorities, high visa overstay rates and the refusal of some governments to accept deported nationals as reasons for the full suspension.
Countries under partial suspension
Partial restrictions apply to immigrants and non-immigrants travelling on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M and J visas from the following countries:
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Benin
Côte d’Ivoire
Dominica
Gabon
The Gambia
Malawi
Mauritania
Nigeria
Senegal
Tanzania
Tonga
Zambia
Zimbabwe
In addition, Turkmenistan was listed under partial suspension, with restrictions lifted for non-immigrant visas due to improved cooperation with US authorities, while immigrant visa entry for its nationals remains suspended.
Explaining Nigeria’s inclusion, the fact sheet noted the activities of extremist groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State in parts of the country, alongside challenges related to screening and visa overstay rates.
Regional breakdown
By region, the affected countries are grouped as follows:
Africa: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Angola, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Asia: Laos, Syria, Turkmenistan
Caribbean and Oceania: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Tonga
Middle East and Palestinian Territories: Palestinian Authority–issued travel documents
The White House emphasised that the restrictions are country-specific and based on security assessments, insisting that the measures are necessary to protect American citizens and uphold the integrity of the US immigration system.
