On December 16, 2025, a Presidential Proclamation was issued that modifies and expands travel restrictions initially implemented earlier in 2025. These updated restrictions are scheduled to take effect at 12:01 a.m. EST on January 1, 2026.
Under the proclamation, certain foreign nationals who are outside the United States at the time the restrictions take effect may be barred from entering the U.S. on both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, including F, J, and M classifications. The proclamation expands the list of countries subject to either full or partial entry restrictions and outlines specific criteria determining who may be impacted.
Individuals who are physically present in the United States at 12:01 a.m. EST on January 1, 2026, or who are in possession of a valid U.S. entry visa at that time, are generally not subject to the entry restrictions outlined in the proclamation.
However, individuals who are outside the United States when the new restrictions take effect and do not hold a valid U.S. entry visa may be prohibited from entering the country under the updated policy.
While individuals currently in the U.S. with valid visas are generally considered exempt, it remains unclear how U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will implement the proclamation in practice. Therefore, caution is strongly advised when international travel is planned, and potential re-entry risks should be carefully evaluated if a country of citizenship is included in the affected list..
Additional details regarding the proclamation, including affected countries and implementation guidance, are available through the following official resource: https://www.nafsa.org/regulatory-information/proclamation-december-16-2025-travel-ban-effective-january-1-2026
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