US Expands Visa Restrictions: 40 Countries Face Entry Limits

The United States has expanded its list of countries subject to visa restrictions, citing concerns over document authenticity and national security. On Tuesday, the White House released an updated proclamation that now identifies 40 nations as either fully or partially restricted, including 26 African countries.

The move comes under Proclamation 10949, an extension of the controversial Executive Order 14161, first signed in January. President Donald Trump framed the decision as a protective measure, stating it was necessary to prevent individuals from “exploiting immigration laws for malevolent purposes.”

Poor Document Control Drives Restrictions

At the heart of the visa restrictions are concerns over document integrity. The US government argues that some countries have “woeful inadequacies” in their record-keeping and law enforcement controls. This spans criminal histories, marriage certificates, birth documents, education qualifications, and more.

According to the proclamation, these weaknesses make it easier for non-citizens to obtain fraudulent civil documents, often with little oversight or verification. Investigations reportedly found individuals using these documents involved in serious crimes, including murder, human trafficking, fraud, and even terrorism.

Full vs. Partial Restrictions

The new rules draw a distinction between full suspension and partial restrictions, allowing for case-by-case discretion in some instances.

Countries with full suspension of entry include:
Afghanistan, Burma, Burkina Faso, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Laos, Mali, Niger, Palestinian Authority, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Yemen

Countries with partial restrictionswhere consular officers may issue visas on a limited or case-by-case basisinclude:
Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Ivory Coast, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Turkmenistan serves as an example of a nation moving from full to partial restrictions after demonstrating “significant progress” in meeting US requirements.

Exemptions: National Interest and Major Sporting Events

Not all travellers from these countries are affected. Exemptions exist for individuals deemed to serve US national interests and can only be granted by the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security.

Special consideration is also given to athletes, team officials, coaches, support staff, and immediate family members, particularly in light of upcoming major sporting events. The 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are cited as occasions where travel exemptions will be applied.

Implementation and Future Review

The updated proclamation takes effect at 00:01 on 1 January 2026, but current visa holders are not impacted. The US confirmed that:

“No immigrant or non-immigrant visa issued before the applicable effective date of this proclamation shall be revoked pursuant to this proclamation.”

Proclamations like this are reviewed every 180 days, meaning the list could evolve based on how countries improve their document control and law enforcement systems.

Local and Global Reactions

Social media has been flooded with reactions, particularly from African communities affected by the restrictions. Many expressed frustration, noting that travel and business opportunities will be disrupted. Immigration experts, however, suggest this move is part of a broader trend toward stricter border control and enhanced vetting that has been ongoing in the US over the last decade.

For travellers and businesses, the announcement is a reminder to check visa eligibility and plan accordingly, particularly for individuals from the 26 African nations now facing partial or full restrictions.

{Source: The Citizen}

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