U.S. 2025 Travel Restrictions: Full, Partial Bans, and Key Exemptions

(UNITED STATES) The United States 🇺🇸 has imposed new U.S. travel restrictions that reshape who can enter, how visas are issued, and what extra steps many visitors must now take. The most sweeping changes follow a June 2025 presidential proclamation issued under President Trump, invoking 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to block entry from selected countries, tighten interview rules, and introduce added costs for some travelers. Officials say the measures aim to address national security, information‑sharing gaps, and high overstay rates.

While valid visas issued before June 9, 2025 remain usable, millions of potential travelers will face new barriers and deadlines throughout late 2025.

Policy changes — summary and legal basis

The June 2025 proclamation, titled “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” relies on 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. That section permits the president to suspend entry of foreigners deemed harmful to U.S. interests.

According to the proclamation’s rationale, several countries do not provide sufficient:

• Identity data
• Criminal history records
• Travel documents

Officials also cited countries that refuse or delay accepting deportees and warned that more nations could be added if cooperation does not improve. VisaVerge.com reports the administration used those cooperation concerns as part of its reasoning.

Key effective dates and core measures

• June 9, 2025 — Full visa issuance and entry suspended for nationals of 12 countries.
• September 6, 2025 — Most nonimmigrant visa applicants must schedule interviews at a U.S. consular post in their country of nationality or residence.
• November 1, 2025 — Same interview-location rule applies to immigrant visa applicants (with limited exceptions).
• May 7, 2025 — Domestic U.S. passengers must show a REAL ID–compliant ID or passport for TSA screening.
• August 20, 2025 — Visa bond pilot for B‑1/B‑2 applicants from Malawi and Zambia launched.
• September 2025 — Proposed $100,000 entry fee for H‑1B workers announced (subject to rulemaking and likely litigation).

Countries under full and partial suspensions

Full suspension (both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas blocked, narrow exemptions for diplomats and limited humanitarian cases; visas issued before June 9, 2025 remain valid):
– Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen

Partial suspensions (target certain visa classes such as B‑1/B‑2 and some student/exchange visas):
– Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela

Watchlist:
– Officials have placed as many as 36 additional countries on a watchlist; these could face future restrictions if they fail to meet U.S. benchmarks.

Additional measures and pilot programs

Visa bond pilot (Malawi and Zambia):
– Bonds may be $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, set by the consular officer.
– Bonds are refundable if the traveler departs on time and follows all terms.
– Visas are single-entry, valid for 3 months, with admissions generally limited to 30 days.
– Arrival and departure must be through Boston Logan (BOS), JFK (New York), or Washington Dulles (IAD).
– Officials may expand the program to additional countries later.

REAL ID enforcement:
– From May 7, 2025, passengers on domestic flights must show a REAL ID–compliant ID or a passport at TSA screening.

H‑1B fee proposal:
– A proposed $100,000 entry fee for H‑1B workers was announced; it has been proclaimed but may face legal or procedural challenges before taking effect.

Public health:
– COVID‑19 vaccination is no longer required for immigrant visa applicants, though standard medical screenings for communicable diseases continue.

Impact on travelers — what to expect

Full-suspension nationals:
– Entry ban covers both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas with narrow exceptions.
– Visas issued before June 9, 2025 remain valid; new applicants may face denials at the visa stage.
– Airlines may refuse boarding when a passenger falls under suspension without a valid exemption.
– Family‑based immigrant cases from fully‑suspended countries may stall unless an exemption applies.

Partial-suspension nationals:
– Heavy limits on B‑1/B‑2 tourism and short‑term business travel.
– Students (F or J) must verify whether their category is restricted and consider deferral or alternatives if needed.
– Employers recruiting globally may see slowed timelines or loss of in‑person rotations.

Interview-location rule:
– From September 6, 2025 (nonimmigrant) and November 1, 2025 (immigrant), applicants generally must attend interviews in their country of nationality or long‑term residence.
– This reduces third‑country forum shopping but adds potential time, travel costs, and documentation burdens.

REAL ID and domestic travel:
– Visitors in the U.S. without a REAL ID–compliant license should carry a passport for internal flights and some federal facilities.

Visa bond implications (Malawi and Zambia):
– Adds an up‑front expense and shorter trip profile for B‑1/B‑2 travel.
– Travelers should plan round‑trip tickets within the 30‑day permitted stay and keep admission/exit records to support bond refunds.
– Limited entry/exit airports may increase domestic connection costs.

H‑1B fee implications:
– If implemented, a $100,000 fee could significantly change employer budgeting and hiring, especially for small firms.
– Expect legal challenges; employers should monitor updates and prepare contingency recruitment plans.

Practical checklist for travelers (late 2025 planning)

1. Confirm whether your nationality is under a full or partial suspension.
2. Check your visa’s issuance date — visas issued before June 9, 2025 remain valid.
3. If from Malawi or Zambia, prepare for a bond of $5,000 / $10,000 / $15,000, a single‑entry visa valid for 3 months, and a maximum 30‑day stay through BOS, JFK, or IAD.
4. Verify whether your visa class (B‑1/B‑2, student, exchange) is currently restricted.
5. Plan for interviews in your country of nationality/residence from Sept 6 (nonimmigrant) and Nov 1 (immigrant), 2025.
6. Carry a REAL ID–compliant ID or passport for domestic flights after May 7, 2025.
7. Monitor official updates on the proposed $100,000 H‑1B fee.
8. Avoid nonrefundable bookings until visas are issued and airline systems reflect the latest rules.

Human and institutional impacts

• Families from fully suspended countries face indefinite delays and uncertain waivers.
• Students in partial‑suspension countries may need to defer, alter study plans, or change destinations.
• Short‑term business travel is harder to arrange for many regions.
• Refugee and asylee protections continue under separate programs, but family travel and related logistics can become more complicated.

Stakeholders should expect increased coordination between the Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, and airlines. Airline check‑in systems will use updated lists to validate passengers before boarding; mismatches can lead to denied boarding even if travelers believe they qualify for an exemption.

Carry printed evidence of any exemption, national interest letter, or previously issued valid visa. If you hold dual nationality and one passport is subject to restrictions, use the other passport when permitted under the rules.

Legal, policy, and public debate

• Supporters argue 212(f) is a lawful tool to protect national security and to pressure foreign governments to improve document and information sharing.
• Critics say the bans are too broad, separate families, and harm academic and business exchange—especially where partial suspensions target B‑1/B‑2 and student visas.
• Courts may review specific components—particularly large fees or constraints on visa access and ports of entry.
• The proclamation allows for periodic re‑evaluation (reportedly every 180 days), so countries can be removed or added based on progress.

Important: Any change can move quickly. Applicants should avoid nonrefundable bookings until visas are issued and airline check‑in systems reflect the latest policies.

Recommended actions for different groups

Travelers:
– Rely on official sources and plan early.
– Track consular messages and appointment availability.
– Prepare extra civil documents to prove identity and residence.
– Confirm the correct interview post under the new rules.

Employers:
– Review global staffing plans and assess costs tied to potential H‑1B fee changes.
– Brief international employees on domestic travel ID requirements and interview‑location impacts.
– Prepare contingencies for remote work, delayed in‑person onboarding, and alternative visa options.

Families with pending cases:
– Stay in contact with consular sections and consider legal counsel for exemptions or waivers.
– Avoid irreversible decisions (e.g., selling property) until visas are issued.

For authoritative information and ongoing updates, consult the U.S. Department of State visa resources:
– U.S. State Department visa page