US Travel Restrictions Update December 2025
Travel restrictions affecting international travelers have undergone significant changes this month, with the United States expanding its travel ban to 39 countries and implementing new biometric requirements for all non-citizens. These updates take effect between December 26, 2025 and January 1, 2026.
The expanded travel ban, announced on December 16, 2025, more than doubles the number of affected countries from the previous 19-country restriction. Additionally, new facial recognition requirements at all US entry points are now active for green card holders and visa holders alike.
Key Travel Restriction Changes for 2026
Here are the most critical updates affecting international travelers:
- 39 countries affected: The expanded travel ban now includes 19 countries with full restrictions and 20 with partial restrictions
- Palestinian Authority documents: Travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority are now subject to the full ban
- New biometric requirements: All non-US citizens photographed at every entry and exit point starting December 26, 2025
- Interview waivers eliminated: F, J, M, H, L, and O-1 visa renewals now require in-person interviews
- Enhanced social media screening: H-1B and H-4 visa applicants face expanded online presence screening as of December 15, 2025
- ESTA selfie requirement: Proposed changes would require live selfie photos and social media identifiers for visa waiver travelers
These changes represent the most significant overhaul of US travel policy in years. Travelers from affected countries should immediately review their visa status and travel plans.
Countries with Full Travel Restrictions
The following 19 countries face complete suspension of immigrant and nonimmigrant visa issuance:
- Africa: Burkina Faso, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan
- Middle East: Iran, Syria, Yemen
- Asia: Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Laos
- Caribbean: Haiti
- Palestinian Authority: All travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority
Nationals of these countries cannot obtain any type of US visa while the ban remains in effect. This includes tourist visas, student visas, work visas, and immigrant visas.
Countries with Partial Travel Restrictions
The following 20 countries face restrictions on immigrant visas and certain nonimmigrant categories (B-1, B-2, F, M, and J visas):
- Africa: Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, Zimbabwe
- Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, Dominica
- South America: Venezuela
- Pacific: Tonga
- Central Asia: Turkmenistan (immigrants only—nonimmigrant restrictions lifted)
Citizens of these countries may still qualify for certain work visas (H-1B, L-1, O-1) and other specialized nonimmigrant categories not covered by the partial ban.
Who Is Affected by These Travel Restrictions
Understanding whether you're affected by the new travel restrictions depends on your citizenship, visa status, and travel timing.
For Travelers Without Valid Visas
If you're a national of an affected country and don't have a valid US visa by January 1, 2026, you will be subject to the new restrictions. Applying for a visa before this date could make a significant difference in your travel plans.
For Current Visa Holders
Good news: existing valid visas will not be revoked. If you have a valid visa stamp in your passport on January 1, 2026, you can continue to use it until it expires. However, you may face heightened screening at ports of entry.
For Green Card Holders
Lawful permanent residents are exempt from the travel ban. However, green card holders must now comply with new biometric requirements—being photographed at every entry and exit point. Additionally, green card holders from the 19 fully restricted countries may face intensive USCIS reviews.
For Dual Citizens
If you hold citizenship in both an affected country and a non-affected country, you're exempt from the ban when traveling on the passport from the non-designated country. Ensure your valid passport from the exempt country is ready for travel.
How to Check Your Travel Eligibility
Follow these steps to determine if you're affected by the new travel restrictions:
- Verify your citizenship: Check if your country of citizenship appears on either the full or partial restriction list above
- Check your current visa status: If you have a valid US visa, note its expiration date—you can travel until it expires
- Review exemption categories: Determine if you qualify for any exemptions (athletic events, diplomatic status, national interest waivers)
- Prepare proper documentation: Ensure your passport photo meets current requirements—visit VisaPics to verify your photo specifications
- Consult an immigration attorney: For complex cases involving dual citizenship or pending applications, seek professional legal advice
New Biometric Requirements for All Non-Citizens
Effective December 26, 2025, all non-US citizens must submit to biometric collection at US borders. This applies to green card holders, visa holders, and all other foreign nationals.
What to Expect at the Border
CBP officers will photograph all non-citizens at entry and exit points including airports, land crossings, and seaports. The previous age exemptions for children under 14 and adults over 79 have been removed. Fingerprints and iris scans may also be collected as part of the Traveler Verification Service.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Refusing biometric collection can result in denial of entry, boarding refusal, or blocked departure verification. Matched photos are deleted within 12 hours, but non-matched images may be retained for up to 75 years.
Important Dates and Timeline
Mark these critical dates for the 2025-2026 travel restrictions:
- December 15, 2025: Enhanced social media screening begins for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants
- December 16, 2025: Presidential Proclamation 10998 issued expanding travel ban
- December 26, 2025: New biometric requirements take effect for all non-US citizens
- January 1, 2026, 12:01 AM EST: Expanded travel ban becomes effective for 39 countries
- 2026 World Cup & 2028 Olympics: Special exemptions apply for athletes, coaches, and support staff
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still travel to the US if my country is on the ban list?
If you have a valid visa issued before January 1, 2026, you can continue to use it until it expires. New visa applications from fully restricted countries will be denied. Countries with partial restrictions may still qualify for certain work visa categories like H-1B or L-1.
Are green card holders affected by the travel ban?
Green card holders are exempt from the travel ban and can continue to travel freely. However, they must now comply with new biometric requirements at all entry and exit points. Green card holders from certain countries may also face additional USCIS reviews.
What exemptions exist for the travel ban?
Key exemptions include: lawful permanent residents, dual nationals traveling on non-restricted passports, valid visa holders, diplomatic personnel (A, G, NATO visas), athletes and staff for the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics, and cases deemed in the US national interest.
Do I need to update my passport photo for these changes?
While the travel restrictions don't directly require new photos, the enhanced biometric screening makes having a compliant, high-quality passport photo more important than ever. Ensure your photo meets current visa application requirements before applying.
What You Need to Know Now
The expanded US travel restrictions represent major changes for travelers from 39 countries. Act before January 1, 2026 if you need to secure a visa—existing valid visas will be honored, but new applications from restricted countries face significant barriers.
Before any international travel, verify that your passport photo meets official requirements for your destination country. VisaPics provides instant verification for over 950 document types across 170+ countries, ensuring your application photos comply with the latest specifications. Check our photo requirements guide for your specific visa type.
Sources: - [NAFSA - Proclamation of December 16, 2025 Travel Ban](https://www.nafsa.org/regulatory-information/proclamation-december-16-2025-travel-ban-effective-january-1-2026) - [White House Fact Sheet on Travel Restrictions](https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/12/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-further-restricts-and-limits-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-security-of-the-united-states/) - [Newsweek - Green Card Update: New Visa Travel Restrictions](https://www.newsweek.com/green-card-update-new-visa-travel-restrictions-come-into-force-11259295) - [NPR - Trump Expands Travel Ban](https://www.npr.org/2025/12/17/g-s1-102569/trump-expands-travel-ban-restrictions) - [Fragomen - Travel Ban Expanded and Revised](https://www.fragomen.com/insights/united-states-travel-ban-expanded-and-revised-effective-january-1-2026.html)