26 African Countries on the US travel ban List- Dec. 2025

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On December 17, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed a significant Proclamation expanding entry restrictions on foreign nationals. Citing the need to "protect the Nation from national security and public safety threats," the new order imposes stricter vetting and entry suspensions on countries identified as having deficient screening processes.

While the Proclamation affects nations globally, the impact is heavily felt on the African continent. A total of 26 African countries are now subject to either full or partial entry suspensions. This list includes nations with newly imposed restrictions as well as those where previous restrictions have been maintained or restored.

The infographic below details exactly which nations are on the new "Red" and "Blue" lists as of December 2025.

The Red List: Full Entry Suspensions

The countries marked in Red on the map above face the strictest measures: a full suspension of entry. This applies to both immigrants (those seeking permanent residence) and nonimmigrants (tourists, business travelers, and students).

Newly Added & Upgraded (Bright Red)

Based on recent security analysis, the administration has added full restrictions to four African nations: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and South Sudan.

Additionally, Sierra Leone shown in bright red on the West African coast, has been upgraded from partial restrictions to full restrictions due to ongoing compliance issues.

Continued Restrictions (Dark Red)

The map also highlights nations that remain under previously established full bans. These include Chad, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, Republic of the Congo, and Equatorial Guinea.

Note: The restrictions now also apply fully to individuals holding travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority.

The Blue List: Partial Visa Suspensions

The countries highlighted in Blue face "partial restrictions." While this is not a total ban, it creates significant hurdles for specific travelers. These suspensions specifically target immigrants and nonimmigrants applying for Business (B-1), Tourism (B-2), and Student/Exchange (F, M, J) visas.

The New Additions (Bright Blue)

The Proclamation adds 15 new countries to the partial restriction list, 12 of which are in Africa. As shown in the infographic, this includes major regional hubs:

West Africa: Senegal, The Gambia, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin, Nigeria, Mauritania.
Central/Southern Africa: Gabon, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi.
East Africa: Tanzania.

Continued Partial Restrictions (Dark Blue)

Togo and Burundi remain on the partial restriction list, maintaining the status quo from previous orders.

Why Were These Countries Targeted?

The White House Fact Sheet outlines specific data-driven justifications for these inclusions. As summarized in the "Key Justifications" section of the infographic, these generally fall into four categories:

High Visa Overstay Rates: The administration cited excessive rates of visitors violating their visa terms. For example, Nigeria was flagged for having a student visa overstay rate of nearly 12%, while Angola exceeded 21%.
Terrorism & Instability: Active conflict zones pose vetting challenges. The Fact Sheet notes that terrorist groups operate freely in parts of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, making accurate background checks impossible.
Refusal to Accept Returns: Some nations, such as The Gambia and Sierra Leone, were cited for historically refusing to accept the repatriation of their own nationals who were ordered removed from the U.S..
Unreliable Screening: Nations like Mauritania were flagged for having "little presence" in certain regions, making it difficult to verify traveler identities.

Are There Any Exemptions?

Yes. The Proclamation includes important exceptions. The restrictions generally do not apply to:

Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders).
Existing visa holders.
Specific categories such as diplomats and athletes.
Individuals granted a waiver because their entry is deemed in the U.S. national interest.

Additionally, Turkmenistan (not in Africa) saw its nonimmigrant visa ban lifted after demonstrating significant progress in cooperation.