In line with Presidential Proclamation 10998, titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States,” which takes effect on January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), the United States will fully or partially suspend entry and visa issuance for nationals of 39 countries, as well as for individuals applying using travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority.
This Proclamation continues and expands upon the prior restrictions imposed under Presidential Proclamation 10949. Proclamation 10949 remains in effect unless and until modified by Proclamation 10998. These measures are intended to strengthen security-focused screening and vetting procedures to ensure that individuals approved for U.S. visas do not pose a risk to national security or public safety.
Full Suspension of Visa Issuance – 19 Countries
Effective January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST, the Department of State is fully suspending visa issuance for nationals of the following countries for all immigrant and nonimmigrant visa categories, with limited exceptions:
- Afghanistan
- Burma
- Burkina Faso
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Laos
- Libya
- Mali
- Niger
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Yemen
The full suspension also applies to individuals traveling on any travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority.
Limited Exceptions
- Certain diplomatic and official visas
- Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran
- Dual nationals applying with a passport of a non-restricted country
- Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for U.S. government employees under 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(27)(D)
- Participants in certain major international sporting events
- Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)
Partial Suspension of Visa Issuance – 19 Countries
Also effective January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST, the Department of State is partially suspending visa issuance for nationals of the following countries:
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Benin
- Burundi
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Cuba
- Dominica
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Tonga
- Venezuela
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
For these countries, the suspension applies to:
- Nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas
- F, M, and J student and exchange visitor visas
- All immigrant visas
Limited Exceptions
- Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran
- Dual nationals applying with a passport of a non-restricted country
- Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for U.S. government employees under 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(27)(D)
- Participants in certain major international sporting events
- Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)
Partial Suspension for Turkmenistan
As of January 1, 2026, the Department of State is partially suspending visa issuance to nationals of Turkmenistan for all immigrant visas, with limited exceptions:
- Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran
- Dual nationals applying with a passport of a non-restricted country
- Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for U.S. government employees under 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(27)(D)
- Participants in certain major international sporting events
- Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)
Elimination of Certain Prior Exceptions
Under Presidential Proclamation 10998, several categorical exceptions previously available under Proclamation 10949 are no longer applicable, including:
- Immediate family immigrant visas (IR-1/CR-1, IR-2/CR-2, IR-5)
- Adoption visas (IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, IH-4)
- Afghan Special Immigrant Visas
National Interest Exceptions
On a case-by-case basis:
- The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, may determine that travel serves the U.S. national interest.
- The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of State, may also grant national interest exceptions.
- The Attorney General, in coordination with the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security, may approve travel that advances a critical Department of Justice interest.
Who Is Subject to the Proclamation?
Presidential Proclamation 10998 applies only to foreign nationals who:
- Are outside the United States on January 1, 2026, and
- Do not hold a valid U.S. visa as of 12:01 a.m. EST on that date
Foreign nationals who hold a valid visa issued before January 1, 2026 are not subject to the Proclamation. No visas issued prior to the effective date have been or will be revoked under this policy.
Affected individuals may still submit visa applications and attend interviews; however, they may be found ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the United States.
Additional Resources
The full text of Presidential Proclamation 10998 (December 16, 2025)
Information on Presidential Proclamation 10949 (June 4, 2025)
Schedule a Consultation with an Immigration Lawyer
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JEREMY L. RICHARDS is the founding partner of Richards and Jurusik and has dedicated his career to U.S. immigration law, with a specialized focus on assisting Canadian and Mexican citizens under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to work and live in the United States. (Full Bio)
