US Suspends Visas for 19 Countries and Restricts Travel for 19 More Under New Proclamation

• Presidential Proclamation 10998 took effect on January 1, 2026, with the US announcing sweeping visa restrictions affecting nationals of 39 countries worldwide
• The US State Department confirmed a full suspension of visa issuance for nationals of 19 countries, including several African and Middle Eastern nations
• An additional 19 countries faced partial restrictions covering tourist, student, and immigrant visa categories under the same proclamation

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The United States has suspended visa issuance for nationals of 19 countries and introduced partial restrictions affecting applicants from 19 others under a new presidential proclamation.

Presidential Proclamation 10998 took effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 1, 2026. The US Department of State cited national security as the main reason for the measures.

The announcement describes the restrictions as affecting 39 countries. However, the two lists provided name 19 countries under full suspension and 19 under partial restrictions, adding up to 38. The proclamation also covers holders of Palestinian Authority travel documents.

Countries facing full visa suspension

Nationals of the following 19 countries are subject to a complete ban on visa issuance, along with holders of Palestinian Authority travel documents:

1. Afghanistan
2. Bhutan
3. Cuba
4. Eritrea
5. Haiti
6. Iran
7. Libya
8. North Korea
9. Somalia
10. South Sudan
11. Sudan
12. Syria
13. Tokelau
14. Venezuela
15. Yemen
16. Belarus
17. Myanmar (Burma)
18. Central African Republic
19. Democratic Republic of the Congo

Countries facing partial US visa restrictions

An additional 19 countries face partial suspensions covering specific visa categories, including B-1/B-2 tourist and business visas, F, M, and J visas for students and exchange visitors, as well as immigrant visas. Those countries are:

1. Angola
2. Antigua and Barbuda
3. Benin
4. Burkina Faso
5. Cambodia
6. Cameroon
7. Chad
8. Republic of the Congo
9. Equatorial Guinea
10. Gambia
11. Laos
12. Mauritania
13. Nigeria
14. Pakistan
15. Saint Kitts and Nevis
16. Saint Lucia
17. Sierra Leone
18. Turkmenistan
19. Vanuatu

Nigeria’s inclusion is notable because the restrictions apply to categories used by people seeking to travel, study or immigrate to the US.

Exceptions under the proclamation

Some people may still qualify for visa issuance or entry despite the restrictions.

The stated exceptions include holders of diplomatic visas, lawful permanent residents, Special Immigrant Visa holders, dual nationals travelling on a passport from an unaffected country, and participants in certain sporting events.

The State Department has published the full notice outlining the suspensions and restrictions.

Source: Legit.ng

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