The White House has announced sweeping new travel restrictions affecting citizens from twelve countries, citing national security concerns. Effective June 9, 2025, the proclamation bars entry for most travelers from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
This move comes after careful review of each nation’s cooperation with U.S. security protocols and immigration policies. Administration officials highlighted concerning patterns including high visa overstay rates – with Equatorial Guinea showing a staggering 70% of students remaining beyond their visa terms, and Chad reporting nearly 50% of business travelers overstaying.
Notably, the restrictions include exceptions for permanent residents, current visa holders, and those traveling for official government business. Officials emphasized the measures are conditional, allowing for adjustments if affected nations improve their security cooperation and document verification processes.
The policy also addresses broader global security concerns, maintaining North Korea’s Level 4 “Do Not Travel” status while adding new warnings for Uganda and several Mexican states. Travel experts advise checking the latest State Department advisories, as security conditions continue evolving worldwide.
