U.S. Travel Ban Update — What’s Going On? January 15, 2026

January 15, 2026 Alex

There’s big news for anyone thinking about traveling to the U.S. or waiting on an immigration decision. The U.S. government just announced they’re expanding travel restrictions and suspending visa processing for a large group of countries. This update came out January 14–15, 2026, and it shows where things stand with U.S. immigration and travel policy right now.

So, what’s actually changed? Let’s break it down.

Table of Contents

What’s New?

Starting January 14, 2026, the U.S. State Department said it’s stopping immigrant visa processing for citizens from 75 countries — no end date for now. They say this is about tightening immigration controls and taking another look at how they screen people who want to move to the U.S.

This suspension kicks in January 21, 2026, and stays until the State Department finishes its review of the screening process. It mainly hits immigrant visas, but the list of countries is pretty wide-ranging.

Here’s the gist:

Immigrant visa processing is on hold — indefinitely — for people from these 75 countries.
Non-immigrant visas (like tourist, student, or business visas) aren’t banned across the board, but expect tougher screening and maybe more paperwork.
This move is the latest in a string of bans and restrictions the U.S. has rolled out over the past year. There’s already a sweeping travel ban from January 1, 2026, affecting 39 countries with full or partial entry suspensions.

Which Countries Are Affected?

This isn’t just a handful of places — the restrictions cover a big chunk of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and parts of Eastern Europe.

The list is long, but here are some of the countries now facing the new immigrant visa pause:

Africa: Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea
Middle East: Iran, Yemen
Asia: Afghanistan, Laos
Latin America & Caribbean: Haiti, Brazil
Europe & elsewhere: Russia, Montenegro, Fiji
And that’s just a sampling.

Earlier bans (since January 1, 2026) included:

Full entry suspensions for places like Afghanistan, Chad, Myanmar, Libya, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.
Partial restrictions for a bunch of other countries, where certain visas (like student or work visas) are limited.

Why Is the U.S. Doing This?

The official word from the U.S. government boils down to three main reasons:

They want to overhaul how they check visa applicants, especially to keep out people who might end up relying on public assistance (they call this the “public charge” rule).
Security is a big concern — the idea is to screen people more thoroughly to protect the country.
The current administration has been tightening immigration rules since mid-2025, and this is the latest step in that direction.

Of course, not everyone’s on board. Immigrant rights groups and international organizations say these bans hit families hard and could mess with legal immigration and reunification.

What Should Travelers Know Right Now?

If you’re thinking about heading to the U.S. soon, here’s what matters:

Tourist & Business Travel

Tourist and business visas (B-1/B-2) are still being processed for most people. But be ready for more questions, extra paperwork, and proof that you plan to go home when your trip ends.

Immigrant Visas

If you’re from one of the 75 affected countries and trying to get an immigrant visa (family, work, etc.), the pause starts January 21, 2026. Basically, no new visas until further notice.

Current Visa Holders

If you already have a valid visa, hold a green card, or fit an exempt category, you should still be able to travel to and from the U.S. as usual. When in doubt, check with your nearest embassy or consulate.

Check Official Sources

For the latest info or help with your specific situation, always check with the U.S. State Department or your local U.S. embassy or consulate.

Bottom line? The U.S. just put major new restrictions in place, and they’re not going away anytime soon. If you’re affected, double-check your travel plans and keep an eye on official updates.