US Visa Ban 2025: Who Will Be Banned From Entering the Country From June 9
U.S. Visa Ban of 2025 Takes Effect on June 9
New Executive Order by President Donald Trump Restricts Visa Issuance to Citizens of 19 Countries
A new presidential proclamation issued by Donald Trump imposes visa restrictions on citizens from 19 countries starting June 9, 2025. For 12 of these countries, there will be a complete visa ban; for the remaining 7, partial restrictions apply. According to the text of the proclamation, the stated purpose of the restrictions is to protect national security.
However, human rights organizations and several foreign governments argue the measures are discriminatory. Below is the full list of affected countries and details on who is impacted and who may be eligible for exceptions.
Complete Visa Ban: List of 12 Countries
Starting June 9, 2025, citizens of the following countries will not be eligible for any type of U.S. visa — including tourist (B1/B2), student (F-1), work (H-1B), immigration visas, or family reunification visas:
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Afghanistan
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Iran
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Libya
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Somalia
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Sudan
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Yemen
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Myanmar
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Chad
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Republic of the Congo
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Equatorial Guinea
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Eritrea
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Haiti
This comprehensive ban applies to all visa categories.
Partial Visa Restrictions: 7 Countries
For seven countries, the executive order imposes restrictions on specific visa types. The affected visa categories vary by country and may include tourist, student, or work visas. The countries under partial restrictions are:
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Venezuela
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Cuba
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Turkmenistan
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Burundi
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Laos
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Sierra Leone
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Togo
The U.S. State Department is expected to release further clarifications on which specific visa categories are affected.
Who Is Not Affected by the Ban
Despite the sweeping restrictions, some individuals are exempt from the executive order:
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Holders of valid visas issued before June 9, 2025
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Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders)
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Diplomats and international organization staff
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Participants in international sports competitions
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Recipients of special immigrant visas (e.g., Afghans who cooperated with the U.S.)
Thus, individuals already lawfully present in the U.S. are not at risk of deportation under this order.
Justification by the U.S. Administration
According to the White House, the main goal of the order is to prevent potential threats. The administration claims that several of the listed countries fail to conduct adequate screening of their citizens’ biographical and biometric data, increasing the risk of dangerous individuals entering the U.S.
An additional justification was a recent violent incident in Colorado involving a foreign national with an expired visa.
Criticism of the Order: Human Rights and Diplomatic Reactions
Despite official explanations, the 2025 U.S. visa ban has sparked widespread criticism.
Human rights groups, including the ACLU and Human Rights Watch, argue that the order revives the “Muslim ban” of 2017. They note that most of the affected countries have predominantly Muslim or African populations, suggesting the policy violates the principle of equal access to the U.S. visa system.
Governments of countries such as Venezuela, Iran, and Somalia have officially protested and warned of possible diplomatic retaliations.
Impact: Who Will Be Affected
The new visa restrictions will impact the following groups:
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Foreign students planning to study in the U.S.
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Relatives of U.S. citizens awaiting immigration visas
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Professionals applying for work visas
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Asylum seekers and humanitarian program applicants
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Nonprofits and religious organizations hosting volunteers or missionaries
Universities, employers, and NGOs with international partnerships may also be negatively affected.
Conclusion
Starting June 9, 2025, a sweeping visa ban will take effect, affecting 19 countries. It imposes a full visa freeze for 12 countries and partial restrictions for another 7.
Individuals from affected countries are advised to check current policies before applying for a U.S. visa or planning travel.