The US government is understood to be considering implementing new travel restrictions that could affect citizens from over 40 countries. The move comes as part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to enhance national security and address immigration concerns.
Proposed US travel ban
A draft memo suggests categorizing affected countries into three groups:
Complete Visa Suspensions (“Red List”)
Countries facing full visa suspensions, prohibiting their citizens from entering the US. Reportedly, this list includes nations such as Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia and Belarus.
Partial Visa Suspensions
Countries where specific visa categories, like tourist, student or immigration visas, may be restricted. The exact nations and visa categories affected are yet to be finalized.
Countries Under Review
Nations given a 60-day period to address identified security concerns to avoid potential restrictions. Failure to comply could result in future travel limitations.
The impact of any such restrictions would be widely-felt. For example, should Cuba and Venezuela be added to a ‘red list’, citizens from these countries may face complications in their travel and visa statuses or even complete visa suspensions, affecting various groups, such as professional athletes.
Leaders from several Caribbean countries are understood to have expressed concerns over potential travel restrictions and are awaiting detailed communications from the US government.
Next steps
While the draft memo has been circulated, official confirmation and details from the US government are pending. A State Department spokesperson acknowledged ongoing reviews to enhance national safety but did not confirm the specifics of the draft list.
We will continue to monitor official US government communications for updates and will share information as it becomes available. If you are concerned about how these potential changes might impact your organisation’s US-bound mobility program and recruitment planning, or future travel plans or immigration status, speak to our US immigration attorneys.
Author
Founder & Principal Attorney Nita Nicole Upadhye is a recognized leader in the field of US business immigration law, (The Legal 500, Chambers & Partners, Who's Who Legal and AILA) and an experienced and trusted advisor to large multinational corporates through to SMEs. She provides strategic immigration advice and specialist application support to corporations and professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, artists, actors and athletes from across the globe to meet their US-bound talent mobility needs.
Nita is an active public speaker, thought leader, immigration commentator, and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals.
