President Donald Trump expanded his administration’s ban on some foreign visitors on Dec. 16, signing a proclamation that extended the existing ban on 12 countries and added others to the list.
The White House, in a news release announcing the update, said the restrictions are aimed at preventing foreign nationals from entering the country if American officials don’t have “sufficient information” about their background, along with other foreign policy goals. Trump has campaigned on sweeping immigration crackdowns in the United States, and other travel restrictions were a cornerstone of his first term.
The Dec. 16 move banned citizens from:
Nationals holding passports from the following 15 countries are now restricted from entering the United States:
The White House said the expanded ban goes into effect on Jan. 1.
Laos and Sierra Leone, which previously were subject only to a partial ban, have also been added to the list for the full ban.
Burundi, Cuba, Togo and Venezuela continue to face partial restrictions. Turkmenistan, which faced restrictions under Trump’s previous travel ban, has been removed from the list.
The 12 countries that were originally subject to the travel ban continue to face the same restrictions:
The White House outlined its reasons for the additional restrictions and changes, citing improper vetting, terrorist groups operating in some of the listed countries, or a high rate of their citizens overstaying visas in the United States.
The updated proclamation includes exceptions for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, certain visa categories like athletes and diplomats, and individuals whose entry serves U.S. national interests, but adds new restrictions on family-based immigrant visa carve-outs.
When Trump enacted the previous ban over the summer, experts told USA TODAY that it would likely complicate things for existing visa holders and could make reentry more difficult. It’s also likely to make it harder for applicants from those countries to obtain new visas.
Individuals from the affected countries who have already purchased tickets to travel to the United States should consult with their airlines and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. While some exceptions exist, most travelers from the fully banned countries are expected to be denied entry. Those from partially restricted countries may still be allowed to travel, subject to additional screening and requirements.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com.

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