As 2026 opens, the White House announces a sweeping expansion of the U.S. travel ban under Presidential Proclamation 10998, expanding and tightening coverage that began under Proclamation 10949 (June 4, 2025).
The proclamation fully bans entry for nationals from 19 countries and individuals traveling on Palestinian Authority travel documents, effective January 1, 2026 at 12:01 a.m. EST. It also partially bans entry for nationals from 20 additional countries, with visa-category restrictions and tightened visa validity. Nonimmigrant visa categories affected can include B-1/B-2, F, M, and J classifications, among others. The measures are designed to be subject to periodic review and may allow case-by-case National Interest waivers.
Foreign nationals from the listed countries who are outside the United States on the effective date (January 1, 2026) and who do not hold a valid visa on that date are subject to the restrictions. Some categories are exempt, such as lawful permanent residents, asylees, refugees, certain diplomats, and other designated travelers.
The proclamation lists several exceptions, including lawful permanent residents, dual nationals traveling on non-designated passports, specific visa classifications (A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1–NATO-6), athletes, and National Interest exemptions to be determined on a case-by-case basis by the relevant agencies.
No immigrant or nonimmigrant visa issued before the effective date shall be revoked under the proclamation, and visa applications already issued may still proceed, subject to scrutiny. Individuals with valid visas as of the effective date are generally not subject to the ban.
The expansion addresses deficiencies in screening and vetting by certain countries, concerns about high visa overstay rates, lack of reliable civil documents, government control issues, and risks from Citizenship by Investment programs. The administration says the goal is stronger national security and public safety through robust vetting and information-sharing.