United States begins implementing a new set of visa-issuance and entry restrictions under Presidential Proclamation 10998, expanding a prior June 2025 policy.
The U.S. Department of State says the measures fully or partially suspend visa issuance and entry for nationals of 39 countries, and also apply to people using travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority.
The administration frames the restrictions as security-focused—aimed at countries it says have serious gaps in identity management, information sharing, and vetting, alongside concerns such as overstay rates and non-cooperation on removals.
What changed at 12:01 a.m. ET on January 1
The most important operational point for travelers is that the proclamation is designed to affect future visa issuance and entry eligibility, not to retroactively cancel visas en masse. The State Department is explicit: “No visas issued before January 1, 2026 at 12:01 a.m. EST, have been or will be revoked.”
Equally significant is the scope trigger. The State Department says the proclamation applies to foreign nationals who are outside the United States on the effective date and do not hold a valid visa on the effective date.
Who is fully blocked: 19 countries plus Palestinian Authority travel documents
Under the State Department’s implementation guidance, full visa issuance suspension applies to nationals of 19 countries—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, and Yemen—and to individuals traveling on any travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority. For those covered, the suspension is for all immigrant and nonimmigrant visa categories, subject to narrow exceptions.
CRS (Congressional Research Service) describes this as “full suspension,” meaning it bars both immigrants and nonimmigrants from the listed countries (again, with exceptions and waivers).
Who is partially restricted: visitor, student, exchange visas—and immigrant visas
The State Department also outlines a partial suspension for nationals of 19 countries—Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cote D’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. In these cases, the U.S. is suspending issuance of B-1/B-2 visitor visas (business/tourism), F and M student visas, J exchange visitor visas, and all immigrant visas, again with limited exceptions.
Turkmenistan is a special case. The State Department states that as of January 1, 2026, it is partially suspending visa issuance to nationals of Turkmenistan for all immigrant visas (but not the same sweeping nonimmigrant categories described above).
Exceptions, waivers, and what changed from the June 2025 policy
Across the proclamations, categorical exceptions include lawful permanent residents, dual nationals traveling on a passport from a non-designated country, certain diplomatic/official visas, participants in major sporting events, and certain Special Immigrant Visas tied to U.S. government employment.
There is also a case-by-case national interest pathway: the State Department notes that the Secretary of State (or designee), in coordination with DHS, may determine an individual’s travel serves U.S. national interests; parallel authority is described for DHS, and DOJ in certain circumstances.
One of the most consequential shifts for families is what the State Department says is no longer available under the new proclamation: categorical exceptions that previously covered immediate-family immigrant visas, adoption visas, and Afghan Special Immigrant Visas.
Common misconceptions travelers should correct immediately
Misconception 1: “My existing U.S. visa becomes invalid on January 1.”
Not automatically. The State Department says valid visas issued before the effective time are not revoked under the proclamation.
Misconception 2: “If I’m from a ‘partial suspension’ country, all travel to the U.S. is banned.”
Partial suspension is visa-type specific—especially B, F, M, J and immigrant visas—while other nonimmigrant categories may still be possible, sometimes with reduced validity depending on consular practice and legal limits.
Misconception 3: “If I’m in the U.S., I’m unaffected.”
The sharp edge is re-entry logistics. If you leave the United States and later need a new visa issuance (because your visa expires or you must re-stamp), you may face the new restrictions depending on your nationality, visa category, and whether you qualify for an exception or waiver.
Practical next steps for travelers, students, and families
First, determine which bucket applies: full suspension, partial suspension, or Turkmenistan immigrant-visa partial suspension—and whether you might qualify as a dual national using a non-designated passport or as an LPR.
Second, if you already hold a valid visa, verify its validity dates and plan itineraries accordingly. The State Department notes affected applicants may still submit applications and schedule interviews, but could be found ineligible for issuance or admission.
Finally, if your situation is time-sensitive—such as school start dates, weddings, or urgent family matters—document your facts early for any national-interest or discretionary waiver request and monitor U.S. embassy/consulate updates, which often publish practical FAQs tailored to local applicants.
