US Travel Ban: Trump Expands List With Five Additional Countries

President Donald Trump has expanded the US travel ban, barring nationals from five additional countries and travellers holding Palestinian Authority-issued documents from entering the United States. According to the White House, the new restrictions, which take effect on January 1, 2026, aim to “protect the security of the United States” amid concerns over failures in overseas screening and vetting systems.

Countries Added to the Travel Ban

The latest update imposes full-entry restrictions on citizens of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria, as well as Palestinian Authority passport holders. Additionally, Laos and Sierra Leone, previously subject to partial restrictions, have now been moved to the full ban list. Fifteen other countries, including Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, are now under partial restrictions.

This marks the third major iteration of the US travel ban under Trump’s administration. During his first term, a similar policy introduced in 2017 faced widespread protests and legal challenges but was ultimately upheld by the US Supreme Court.

Reasons Behind the Expanded Ban

Officials cited multiple security concerns prompting the expanded travel ban. These include high visa overstay rates, unreliable civil records, corruption, terrorist activity, and limited cooperation from certain countries in accepting deported nationals. The announcement came shortly after an Afghan national was arrested for allegedly shooting two National Guard troops, an incident highlighted by the White House to justify stricter immigration controls.

Trump emphasised that the restrictions will remain until affected countries demonstrate “credible improvements” in identity management, information sharing, and cooperation with US immigration authorities.

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Exceptions to the Ban

The US travel ban does not affect lawful permanent residents, most existing visa holders, diplomats, or athletes travelling for major sporting events. Case-by-case waivers are also available for travellers whose entry is deemed to be in the national interest.

Full and Partial Restriction Lists

• Countries with full restrictions include Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burma, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, the Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, and Palestinian Authority passport holders.
• Countries under partial restrictions include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
• Special case: Turkmenistan maintains restrictions for immigrants, but non-immigrant visa restrictions have been lifted.

What This Means for Travellers

Travellers from affected countries must carefully check the updated restrictions before planning trips to the United States. The expansion of the US travel ban underscores the administration’s continued focus on national security and stricter immigration controls. While some may face full entry bans, others may qualify for waivers or exemptions depending on individual circumstances.