Trump Adds Five Countries to US Travel Ban

Wed Dec 17 2025 15:10:46 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

President Donald Trump has announced the expansion of the US travel ban, affecting nationals from five additional countries and individuals traveling on Palestinian Authority-issued documents, in a bid to enhance national security.

In a recent move by President Donald Trump, the US travel ban will now encompass travelers from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria, as well as Palestinian Authority passport holders. The expanded restrictions are slated to begin on January 1 and include additional countries previously under partial restrictions. The ban is framed as a necessary measure to protect national security, following concerns over immigration vetting failures.

President Donald Trump has expanded a US travel ban, barring nationals of five additional countries and people travelling on Palestinian Authority-issued documents from entering the US.

The White House stated that these restrictions were intended 'to protect the security of the United States' and will take effect on January 1.

Full entry bans will be imposed on individuals from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria, along with Palestinian Authority passport holders.

The administration also added Laos and Sierra Leone to the full ban list, which were previously under partial restrictions, and introduced partial restrictions on 15 other nations, including Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.

President Trump, returning to the White House in January, has tightened immigration controls and deemed the expanded ban necessary due to perceived flaws in global vetting systems. Administration officials cited high visa overstay rates, unreliable civil registries, corruption, and insufficient cooperation on the repatriation of nationals as security concerns.

This announcement followed the arrest of an Afghan individual accused of shooting two National Guard troops during the Thanksgiving weekend, which highlighted persistent security apprehensions in the administration.

This marks Trump's third declaration of a travel ban. A similar measure was introduced in 2017, stirring protests and subsequent legal challenges, which were later upheld by the US Supreme Court.

The White House emphasized that the restrictions will remain effective until the affected countries exhibit 'credible improvements' in identity management and cooperation related to immigration.

However, exemptions are in place; lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, diplomats, and athletes for major sporting events will not be affected. Additionally, individual waivers will be available if travel is deemed in the national interest.

Countries subject to full travel restrictions: