On June 4, 2025, the U.S. government issued a Presidential Proclamation establishing new restrictions on the entry of foreign nationals from specific countries. The measure aims to address national security and public safety concerns by placing full or partial suspensions on visa issuance and travel.
The Proclamation takes effect at 12:01 AM (EDT) on June 9, 2025.
Countries Affected
Full Suspension of Entry (Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visas):
Nationals from the following countries will not be permitted to enter the United States as immigrants or nonimmigrants unless an exception applies:
Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen
Partial Suspension of Entry (B-1/B-2, F, M, and J Visas):
Entry is suspended for travelers from the following countries under specific visa categories:
Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela
Who Is Impacted?
This policy affects individuals who:
- Are outside the United States as of June 9, 2025
- Do not hold a valid U.S. visa on that date
This means foreign nationals currently in the U.S. or those holding valid visas issued before June 9 are not affected by the new restrictions.
Exceptions to the Travel Ban
The Proclamation provides exceptions for several groups, including:
- U.S. lawful permanent residents (green card holders)
- Dual nationals traveling with a passport from a non-designated country
- Certain diplomatic and international visa holders
- Immediate family members under approved immigrant categories
- Refugees, asylees, and others with humanitarian protections
- Special immigrant visa holders, including those connected to U.S. government service
- Athletes and support personnel attending major global sporting events
- Individuals granted a case-by-case waiver based on U.S. national interest
What Should Individuals and Employers Do Now?
We recommend that affected individuals and organizations take the following steps:
- Do not travel internationally without confirming whether these new restrictions apply to your situation
- Employers should immediately review the immigration status and travel plans of any foreign national employees from the listed countries
- Be prepared for increased visa processing delays and reviews, even for travelers outside the listed countries
- If urgent travel or visa issuance is required, speak with qualified immigration counsel about possible exceptions or waiver strategies
How NPZ Law Group Can Assist
Our team is actively monitoring this situation and is available to provide personalized guidance to individuals, employers, and educational institutions. We can assist with:
- Risk assessments for planned international travel
- Visa eligibility reviews under the new policy
- Preparation of waiver or exemption requests
- Strategy planning for affected employers and families
Contact Information
If you or your family members have any questions about how immigration and nationality laws in the United States may affect you, or if you want to access additional information about immigration and nationality laws in the United States or Canada, please do not hesitate to contact the immigration and nationality lawyers at NPZ Law Group. You can reach us by emailing info@visaserve.com or by calling us at 201-670-0006 extension 104. We also invite you to visit our website at www.visaserve.com for more information. Contact us today.