Last updated on October 25, 2025
No, not from all countries. As of June 2025, the U.S. has fully or partially suspended visa issuance and entry for nationals of specific countries due to national security concerns.
If you’re planning a trip to the United States in 2025, your passport might be more than just a travel document—it could be a dealbreaker. While millions of travelers continue to visit the U.S. for tourism, study, or work, a select list of countries now faces strict entry restrictions. These aren’t temporary travel advisories or pandemic-era bans—they’re part of a formal Presidential Proclamation aimed at protecting national security.
The Presidential Proclamation
On June 9, 2025, a new Presidential Proclamation came into effect, targeting foreign nationals deemed to pose a potential threat to U.S. public safety. The Department of State, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, began fully or partially suspending visa issuance and entry for nationals of 19 countries. The move is part of a broader effort to tighten vetting procedures and enhance border security.
Countries with Full Suspension
Nationals from the following countries are subject to a full suspension of visa issuance for both immigrant and nonimmigrant categories:
Afghanistan
Burma
Chad
Republic of the Congo
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Haiti
Iran
Libya
Somalia
Sudan
Yemen
Exceptions exist for certain diplomatic visas, immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, adoptions, and humanitarian cases. Dual nationals applying with a passport from a non-restricted country may also be exempt.
Countries with Partial Suspension
The following countries face partial suspension, specifically affecting visitor (B-1/B-2), student (F, M), and exchange (J) visas, as well as immigrant visas:
Burundi
Cuba
Laos
Sierra Leone
Togo
Turkmenistan
Venezuela
Again, limited exceptions apply, and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) are not affected.
What This Means for Travelers
If you’re a citizen of one of the listed countries and do not already hold a valid U.S. visa as of June 9, 2025, your chances of obtaining one are slim. Visa applications may still be submitted, but consular officers are unlikely to issue new visas unless an exception is granted. The Secretary of State and the Attorney General retain discretion to approve travel on a case-by-case basis if it serves a critical U.S. national interest.
See more on United States
Sources
Suspension of Visa Issuance to Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/suspension-of-visa-issuance-to-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-united-states-from-foreign-terrorists-and-other-national-security-and-public-safety-threats.html
June 7, 2025
Presidential Proclamation – Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/06/restricting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-united-states-from-foreign-terrorists-and-other-national-security-and-public-safety-threats/
June 2025