Major Travel Restrictions Updates December 2025
Travel restrictions updates in December 2025 mark one of the most significant shifts in international travel policy in recent years. The Trump administration has announced plans to expand its travel ban to more than 30 countries, while simultaneously freezing immigration processing for nationals from 19 nations already on the restricted list.
These sweeping changes come alongside the EU's ongoing rollout of its biometric Entry/Exit System (EES), which now requires fingerprints and facial scans from all non-EU travelers. For anyone planning international travel, understanding these new requirements is essential before booking flights or submitting visa applications.
US Travel Ban Expansion: What's Changing
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the administration will expand travel restrictions beyond the current 19 countries.
- Current ban covers 19 countries: Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of Congo, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Yemen, and Burundi
- Expansion to 30-32 countries: DHS recommends adding 10+ additional nations to the restricted list, with announcement expected by December 15, 2025
- 12 countries face complete entry bans: All visa categories suspended for Afghanistan, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen
- 7 countries have partial restrictions: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela face suspended immigrant visas and tourist, student, and exchange visas
- Retroactive reviews ordered: USCIS will re-examine green card cases going back to January 20, 2021
Secretary Noem explained the rationale: "If they don't have a stable government there, if they don't have a country that can sustain itself and tell us who those individuals are and help us vet them, why should we allow people from that country to come here?"
The expansion follows an incident in Washington, D.C. where an Afghan national was accused of shooting two National Guard members, prompting immediate suspension of all visa processing for Afghan nationals.
Who Is Affected by These Travel Restrictions
The December 2025 travel restrictions impact millions of people worldwide, from tourists to permanent residents awaiting final approval.
For Green Card Applicants
USCIS has paused all Form I-485 (green card) processing for nationals of the 19 restricted countries. This affects an estimated 1.4 million pending applications. Additionally, applicants approved since January 2021 may face re-interviews and additional vetting.
For Asylum Seekers
All Form I-589 asylum applications are on hold regardless of nationality. This indefinite pause has no fixed end date and remains in effect until the USCIS Director issues a new memo. The freeze affects applicants from all countries, not just those on the travel ban list.
For Students and Exchange Visitors
F visas (student) and J visas (exchange visitor) are suspended for citizens of the 7 partially restricted countries. Current visa holders should consult their international student offices before traveling. Re-entry to the US may be denied even with valid documentation.
For Business Travelers
Some work visa categories remain available for partial-ban countries, but processing times have increased significantly. Ensure your passport photo meets requirements and documentation is complete before submitting any visa application during this period.
How to Check Your Travel Status - Step by Step
Follow these steps to determine if the new restrictions affect your travel plans:
- Verify your nationality status: Check if your country of citizenship appears on the 19-country ban list or potential expansion list
- Review your visa category: Determine if you hold a visa type affected by full or partial restrictions (tourist, student, immigrant, or work visa)
- Check USCIS case status: Log into your USCIS account to review any holds on pending applications at uscis.gov
- Contact your embassy: Reach out to the nearest US embassy or consulate for country-specific guidance on visa processing
- Prepare documentation: Gather all immigration records, especially approvals from 2021 onward, in case of re-review requests
- Consult an immigration attorney: For complex cases involving dual nationality or pending status changes, seek professional legal advice
EU Entry/Exit System Now Active
While US restrictions tighten, the European Union has launched its biometric border system for all non-EU visitors.
- October 12, 2025: EES began gradual rollout across 29 European countries
- December 2025: Borders operating EES now conduct full biometric checks including fingerprints and facial scans
- January 2026: Half of all border points expected to operate the EES system
- April 10, 2026: Full operational deployment deadline for all Schengen zone borders
The system replaces traditional passport stamping with digital biometric records. Your facial scan and fingerprint data remains valid for three years across multiple trips. All non-EU citizens visiting for up to 90 days within a 180-day period must register.
Important Dates and Timeline
Mark these critical dates for travel restrictions updates in December 2025 and early 2026:
- December 2, 2025: All visa processing for Afghan nationals suspended indefinitely
- December 15, 2025: Expected announcement of expanded US travel ban country list (30+ countries)
- December 26, 2025: US biometric collection begins for all non-citizens at entry points
- January 8, 2025: UK ETA required for US and European travelers (already in effect)
- May 7, 2025: REAL ID enforcement begins for domestic US air travel
- April 10, 2026: EU EES full deployment deadline across all Schengen borders
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still travel to the US if my country is on the partial ban list?
It depends on your visa type. Some work visa categories (like H-1B) remain available for the 7 partially restricted countries. However, tourist visas (B-1/B-2), student visas (F), and exchange visitor visas (J) are suspended. Check with USCIS or your nearest US embassy for your specific situation.
What happens to my pending green card application?
If you're a national of one of the 19 restricted countries, your I-485 application is on hold indefinitely. USCIS may also re-review previously approved cases going back to 2021. Keep monitoring your case status online and ensure your contact information is current with USCIS.
Do I need biometrics for EU travel now?
Yes, if you're traveling to the Schengen zone as a non-EU citizen. The EU Entry/Exit System is now actively collecting fingerprints and facial scans at participating border crossings. The process takes a few extra minutes at border control, and your biometric data is valid for three years.
Are there any exemptions to the US travel ban?
Some exemptions exist for dual nationals traveling on their non-banned country passport, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), immediate family members of US citizens, and certain diplomatic personnel. However, exemption criteria vary by case and may require additional documentation.
What You Need to Know Now
The December 2025 travel restrictions updates represent the most significant changes to US immigration policy since the original 2017 travel ban. With over 1.4 million asylum applications frozen and expansion to 30+ countries imminent, travelers must stay informed and prepare accordingly.
Before any international travel, verify your documentation is current and your passport photo meets all requirements for your destination country. For US visa applications, ensure you have reviewed the latest USCIS guidance and consulted the State Department's travel advisories. Check VisaPics' visa photo specifications to ensure your application photos comply with official standards—rejected photos can delay processing during an already challenging time.
Sources: - [CNN: DHS recommends travel ban list include at least 10 more countries](https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/02/politics/dhs-travel-ban-countries) - [NPR: Trump administration halts immigration from 19 travel-ban nations](https://www.npr.org/2025/12/03/g-s1-100218/trump-administration-halts-immigration-19-nations) - [NBC News: Trump administration pauses immigration applications from nationals of 19 countries](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/trump-administration-pauses-immigration-applications-19-countries-rcna247106) - [CNBC: Trump administration will expand travel ban to more than 30 countries](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/06/trump-administration-will-expand-travel-ban-to-more-than-30-countries.html) - [Council on Foreign Relations: Guide to Countries on Trump's 2025 Travel Ban List](https://www.cfr.org/article/guide-countries-trumps-2025-travel-ban-list) - [EU Home Affairs: Entry/Exit System (EES)](https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen/smart-borders/entry-exit-system_en) - [GOV.UK: EU Entry/Exit System](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-entryexit-system)