On June 4, 2025, the President issued a Presidential Proclamation that significantly restricts entry into the United States for citizens (nationals) of 19 specified countries. This new travel ban (effective 12:01 a.m on June 9, 2025) will impact many individuals and businesses. Below, we explain what the proclamation does, who is affected, and how you can plan. We break down the countries subject to the ban (complete vs. partial restrictions), the visa types impacted, exceptions and waivers available, and how this ban compares to past travel bans. Please note that the proclamation targets travelers who are outside the United States—it does not require anyone already physically and legally present in the United States to depart, although leaving could jeopardize re-entry. Finally, we outline practical guidance for affected foreign nationals, their families, and sponsoring employers.
Country Groups and Scope of Restrictions
| Restriction Level | Countries | What Is Suspended? | |
| Complete Ban (12 nations) | Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen | All immigrant and non‑immigrant visas and entries | |
| Partial Ban (7 nations) | Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela | Immigrant visas plus B1/B2 (visitor), F/M (student & vocational), and J(exchange visitor) visas. All other nonimmigrant categories remain technically available, but subject to heightened scrutiny. |
Key Point: The proclamation applies only to citizens (nationals) of the 19 listed countries who are outside the United States and are seeking admission on or after the effective date.
Visa Categories Affected
| Visa Class | Full Ban Countries | Partial Ban Countries | |
| Immigrant (family & employment) | Suspended | Suspended | |
| B‑1/B‑2 Visitor | Suspended | Suspended | |
| F‑1/M‑1 Student & Vocational | Suspended | Suspended | |
| J‑1 Exchange Visitor | Suspended | Suspended | |
| H‑1B, L‑1, O‑1, E‑2, P, TN, etc. | Suspended | Not suspended (extra vetting likely) | |
| A, G, NATO,C‑1/D crew | Exempt | Exempt | |
| Refugee & Asylee status (already granted) | Exempt | Exempt |
Automatic Exceptions
| Who May Still Enter | Notes | |
| U.S. lawful permanent residents | Green cardholders may reenter but should expect added screening | |
| Dual nationals entering on a non‑restricted passport | Present the unrestricted passport when boarding | |
| Holders of valid U.S. visas issued before June 9, 2025 | Visas remain valid; CBP retains discretion to question travelers | |
| A‑, G‑,NATO visas & airline crew | Diplomatic,international organization, and transport personnel | |
| Approved refugees, asylees, CAT recipients | Status remains intact | |
| Athletes & essential staff for 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics | Event-specific exemption |
Case-by-Case Waivers
Travelers who do not qualify for an automatic exception may request a discretionary waiver at the U.S. consulate or embassy. A grant requires convincing evidence that:
- Entry serves a U.S. national interest or is critical to a judicial proceeding, and
- The applicant poses no security risk.
Waivers are expected to be rare and slow; legal guidance is strongly advised.
Impact on People Inside the United States
The proclamation does not force anyone already lawfully present in the United States to leave. However, any departure on or after June 9 will likely preclude re‑entry unless the traveler falls within an exception or secures an approved waiver. Those who remain may still pursue extensions, changes of status, or adjustment of status through USCIS under the usual procedures.
How Does This Compare to Previous Travel Bans?
| Policy | Issued | Duration | Countries Affected (at issuance) | Paths to Entry | |
| EO 13769 (“Travel Ban 1.0”) | Jan 2017 | ~1 week (blocked by courts) | Iran, Iraq,Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen | Ad hoc exceptions; no formal waiver process | |
| EO 13780 (“Ban 2.0”) | Mar 2017 | 7 months | Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen | Undue hardship & national interest waivers | |
| Procl. 9645 (“Ban 3.0”) | Sept 2017 | Oct 2017 – Jan 2021 | 8 nations incl. North Korea & Venezuela officials | Three-part waiver (hardship, risk, interest) | |
| Procl. 9983 (Expansion) | Jan 2020 | Feb 2020 – Jan 2021 | Added Burma, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Sudan*, Tanzania* | Same waiver framework | |
| Procl. 06‑04‑2025 | Jun 2025 | Open-ended (180day reviews) | 19 nations | National interest or justice system waiver |
(* Partial restrictions only)
The June 2025 proclamation revives and broadens the travel ban framework created in 2017. It now blocks entry from 19 nations—more than any previous iteration—continues a limited waiver process for national interest cases, and reinstates the indefinite timeline upheld in Trump v. Hawaii. Key shifts include the addition of several African and Caribbean states, tighter suspensions on student and visitor visas, and mandated 180-day security reviews that could see countries removed—or newly added—based on improved vetting and information sharing.)
Who Is Most Affected
| Impacted Group | Why They Are Affected | |
| Prospective students, visitors, and immigrant visa applicants abroad | Suspension of F/M, J, B‑1/B‑2, and all immigrant visas blocks issuance of travel documents and admission. | |
| Families awaiting consular processing for relatives overseas | Family-based (IR/CR), fiancé (K-1), and other immigrant visas are currently suspended, which delays reunification. | |
| U.S. employers with staff or candidates who need to enter or re-enter the United States | Employees from full-ban countries are unable to obtain new visas; those from partially banned countries face lengthy security checks and limited visa validity. Departing employees risk being locked out. | |
| Current visa holders inside the United States | The ban does not require departure, but leaving after June 9 will likely bar re-entry unless an exception or waiver is granted. |
Action Plan
For Individuals:
- Defer non essential international travel after June 9, 2025, if you wish to preserve your ability to remain in the United States; a single departure could block re-entry for as long as the proclamation stays in force.
- Before requesting a waiver or humanitarian parole, consult qualified immigration counsel to understand the high evidentiary bar and to assemble comprehensive documentation (medical records, employer letters, or national interest evidence, as appropriate).
- Maintain impeccable status by filing extensions or changes of status on time, updating addresses promptly, and keeping copies of I-94 records, pay statements, and school enrollment letters that prove continuous compliance.
For Employers:
- Conduct an immediate audit of your global workforce to identify employees and candidates who are citizens of the 19restricted countries.
- Suspend noncritical international trips and fully brief any employee who must travel about the likelihood of being denied re-entry.
- Ensure immigration compliance by tracking expiration dates, filing timely extensions, and submitting amendments to USCIS whenever job duties, worksite, or salary change materially.
- Prepare robust business necessity packets—project timelines, financial impact analyses, and executive support letters—in case a national interest waiver is the only path to return.
- Where feasible, build contingency plans such as remote work arrangements or third-country assignments so that critical projects continue even if an employee is stranded abroad.
We Are Here to Help
Global Immigration Partners is closely monitoring implementation, litigation, and agency guidance. Contact us for personalized risk assessments, waiver strategy and filing support, and contingency planning for international assignments.
Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions.