36 Countries Could Be Added to the US Travel Ban List—Here’s what to Know

The Trump administration is considering expanding the US travel ban to an additional 36 countries, according to an internal State Department cable first obtained by the Washington Post.

“The Department has identified 36 countries of concern that might be recommended for full or partial suspension of entry if they do not meet established benchmarks and requirements within 60 days,” the cable says, per Reuters.

The countries under review include over two dozen African nations, three countries in Central and Southeast Asia, four Caribbean nations, and three South Pacific islands. Over the next 60 days, their governments are being asked to address concerns such as the questionable security and reliability of passports, citizens overstaying their US visas, and acts of terrorism committed in the US by nationals from the country, Reuters reports.

Here’s the latest on the US government’s travel ban, including who is impacted and who is exempt. If you are traveling to the US as a visa or green card holder, here’s how you can prepare.

What is the US travel ban?

Beginning on Monday, June 9, the citizens of 12 countries have been banned from entering the US. The proclamation, signed by US President Donald Trump on June 4, covers Afghanistan, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. It also partially restricts and limits the entry of nationals from 7 countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

The new policy applies to both immigrants and nonimmigrants and includes exceptions for “lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, certain visa categories, and individuals whose entry serves US national interests,” the White House said in a press release.

The order was announced via the White House’s official social media channels on June 4. “We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen,” President Trump said. “That is why today I am signing a new executive order placing travel restrictions on countries including Yemen, Somalia, Haiti, Libya, and numerous others.”

Who is impacted?

According to the American Immigration Council (AIC), the 19 countries covered by this new ban represent over 475 million people. “The new travel restrictions fully suspend the issuance of immigrant and nonimmigrant visas to nationals from Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, and bans immigrant visas and B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas for nationals of Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela,” the council said in a press release.

The restrictions do not apply to immediate relatives of US citizens, Afghan Special Immigrant Visa beneficiaries, individuals who qualify for a national interest waiver, individuals who currently hold valid visas, as well as those with green cards, according to a legal analysis by the AIC. Additionally, the travel ban does not apply to people who obtained valid visas before June 9, 2025. Visas issued before the proclamation went into effect cannot be revoked retroactively.

Why now?

The White House says the ban is being put in place to protect Americans from “dangerous foreign actors.” Trump cited the recent attack in Colorado during a march in support of Israeli hostages, saying it underscored the dangers of foreign nationals who had “not been properly vetted.”