Last Updated on April 10, 2025 by Christine Kaaloa

U.S. Travel bans are making a comeback in the United States.

In 2017, President Donald Trump introduced Travel Ban 1.0, starting with seven countries (“The Muslim Ban“) and grew to thirteen over time.

Now, we’re looking at his second term in office and Travel Ban 2.0, which is being framed as more of an immigration enforcement tool

According to a leaked draft reported by The New York Times, and Reuters, the United States’s new administration is considering visa restrictions for up to 41 to 43 countries (there seems to be a discrepancy between the two news publications). Since this is still a draft, details can change, but here’s the current breakdown:

I never leave home without travel insurance- I like to buy insurance that covers theft and adventure but here’s a trip insurance finder tool  to find a plan that matches your budget.

U.S. Travel Ban Draft: What is it about?

Complete Visa Bans – All Travel Banned

There are eleven red countries that have complete visa bans. This means entry to the U.S. could be suspended. Many of these are usual suspects, Bhutan is a surprising addition, given its peaceful nation.”

• Afghanistan
• Bhutan
• Cuba
• Iran
• Libya
• North Korea
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Syria
• Venezuela
• Yemen

Partial Suspensions – Visas Sharply Restricted

Partial suspensions mean reduced visa approvals, especially for foreign tourists and student visas for locals of these countries. Laos surprised me because it’s one of the regular overland stops on a backpacker’s route of Southeast Asia. I’m saddened by Pakistan, because I really loved it there and was hoping to return within a year and not saying that I cannot return, but I’m thinking the ban could sour relations with the country and locals. Glad I did my group trip when I did!

• Belarus
• Eritrea
• Haiti
• Laos
• Myanmar
• Pakistan
• Russia
• Sierra Leone
• South Sudan
• Turkmenistan

Conditional suspensions

There are twenty six countries. These have 60 days to address security concerns that put them on this list.

Surprising are some popular Caribbean destinations which U.S. travelers love to travel as well as, Cambodia— another really popular destination on the Southeast Asia backpacking route.

• Angola
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Benin
• Burkina Faso
• Cambodia
• Cameroon
• Cape Verde
• Chad
• Republic of Congo
• Dem. Republic of Congo
• Dominica

• Equatorial Guinea

• Gambia

• Liberia

• Malawi

• Mali
• Mauritania
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Lucia
• São Tomé and Príncipe
• Vanuatu
• Zimbabwe

Why are certain surprising countries on this banned list?

I did a little bit of digging and it seems like some of the surprising choices may have to do with past immigration violations OR deficient vetting and screening procedures regarding citizenship.

Citizenship by Investment (CIB) is a program that allows individuals to obtain citizenship of a country by making a significant financial investment, usually through real estate purchases, government bonds, or contributions to a national fund. Some of the countries on this travel ban fall under that category.

Although the ban seems mostly applied to foreign travelers coming into the United States and not American travelers leaving (with exception to the countries that are Completely Banned), it may seem like good news for die-hard travelers.

However this travel ban 2.0 may still impact U.S. travelers and U.S. travel

Ways the U.S. Travel Ban will Affect U.S Citizens

1. Increased scrutiny at U.S. borders upon re-entry

Right now, there is heightened immigration enforcement. News has been very disturbing as many legal citizens from green card holders to migrant workers, etc.. are being detained or deported, without proper notice to prepare or tell their families.

This has affected U.S. Airport Security and border regulation changes, as the Custom & Border agents can pull aside travelers for potential phone searches and this has included U.S. travelers, who happen to fit the profile.

2. Heightened tensions meant new visa issues for Americans

With tension relations growing from the ban, some countries may respond or retaliate by restricting U.S. travelers. We have seen that with Mexico who announced that U.S. travelers will now need a visa to enter the country. In the past, U.S. travelers were able to enter and exit freely.

3. May increase tensions between country nationals and their view of Americans

Locals generally see foreign travelers as being their government politics versus individuals with occasionally separate beliefs. Unfortunately we are all guilty of giving too much power of personal decision to media sensationalism, politics and negative stereotypes. U.S. travelers may not feel comfortable traveling a country which has a negative opinion of or animosity towards Americans. They may experience hate or unkind responses from other foreign travelers for being associated with their country.

4. Might affect travel advisories in the future

Whether relations spoil or it is felt certain countries are dangerous to travel, travel advisories will change and update. Countries may move higher on the Do Not Travel list

5. Other countries may have travel warnings about the U.S. travel

Other countries may retaliate or not agree with the policies of our current government and thus, place travel advisories warning their travelers to avoid traveling to the U.S.  For instance, due to the changing U.S. border policies, the governments of United Kingdom, Germany and Canada have issued travel warnings advisories.

According to Reuter’s, Germany warns it’s travelers that visa waivers does not guarantee entry, after several German travelers were reported to be detained at the border. Meanwhile, Britain warns that U.S. authorities are very strict and travelers must comply with conditions of entry or they may face arrest or detention for breaking the rules. This comes after 28 year old U.K. artist, Rebecca Burke was detained for 19 days when she was turned away from Canadian borders, after coming from a trip to the U.S.

Conclusion

Remember, this is still just a draft, so things could change. Stay informed by checking the official U.S. State Department website before traveling.

How do you feel about this first look at the proposed U.S. Travel Ban?

Travel safe, smart, and informed, and may the GRRR be with you!