In a dramatic escalation of nationwide safety measures, the United States has formally suspended visa issuance—both absolutely or partially—for residents of 19 international locations beginning 12:01 a.m. EDT, June 9, 2025, beneath a sweeping new Presidential Proclamation geared toward countering international terrorist threats and safeguarding nationwide security.
This just isn’t a drill. If you might be from one among these nations and planning to journey to the U.S., this might change the whole lot.
The Nations on the List of US Visa Ban Starting June 9, 2025
Full visa suspension applies to residents of:
- Republic of the Congo
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Chad
- Afghanistan
- Iran
- Equatorial Guinea
- Sudan
- Haiti
- Eritrea
- Libya
- Yemen
- Somalia.
These international locations are actually utterly blocked from each nonimmigrant and immigrant visa classes—with restricted exceptions.
Partial visa suspension impacts:
- Laos
- Cuba
- Burundi
- Turkmenistan
- Togo
- Sierra Leone
- Venezuela
Applicants from these international locations are actually restricted from receiving customer (B-1/B-2) and scholar/change (F, M, J) visas, and all immigrant visas, until they qualify beneath slender exemptions.
Who Is Exempt for this Visa Suspension?
If you’re from one of many listed nations however fall into one among these classes, there’s hope. Visa issuance should still proceed for:
- Immediate relations (spouses, youngsters, mother and father) of U.S. residents
- Adoption instances by U.S. residents
- Immigrant visas for persecuted spiritual or ethnic minorities (particularly in Iran)
- Afghan Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs)
- U.S. authorities workers beneath SIV provisions
- Participants in sure main worldwide sporting occasions
- Dual nationals with a sound passport not from a suspended nation (*19*)Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders)
Furthermore, U.S. officers retain discretionary authority. The Secretary of State and Secretary of Homeland Security can grant nationwide curiosity exceptions on a case-by-case foundation, together with for causes of justice, diplomacy, or humanitarian want.
What If I Already Have a Visa?
Good information: If you already maintain a sound visa as of June 9, 2025, you might be not affected. The ban applies solely to international nationals who’re:
- Outside the U.S. on or after June 9
- Do not already maintain a sound U.S. visa
Your visa is not going to be revoked retroactively beneath this proclamation.
Can I Still Apply for a U.S. Visa After June 9, 2025?
Yes—however with a serious caveat. You can submit an application and schedule an interview, however you should still be deemed ineligible for issuance or entry beneath the proclamation. Many consular officers are more likely to place such instances on administrative maintain till additional coverage clarification.
References
US Visa Issuance Suspended for 19 Countries Effective June 9, 2025 FULLY FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS
