US Travel Ban: 35 African countries could soon be affected

Beginning from June 2025, the United States has imposed strict entry restrictions on nationals from many countries across the globe, many of them African.

These measures, whether total or partial bans, affect travel for tourism, business, study or family visits, and are already having serious implications for millions of people.

According to multiple news sources, the US government is preparing to significantly expand its travel ban to include citizens from 36 additional countries, with 25 of them in Africa. This marks a dramatic escalation in American visa policy, following a June 2025 order that already barred entry to nationals from 12 countries and partially restricted seven others.

If the move is implemented, it would mean that nearly one-fifth of the world’s population lives in a country affected by a US travel ban, a development with potentially serious consequences for African citizens, businesses, and families.

Who is already Banned?

As of June 2025, the US government has completely barred entry to citizens of the following 12 countries, whether as immigrants or nonimmigrants:

• Afghanistan
• Myanmar
• Chad
• Republic of the Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Haiti
• Iran
• Libya
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Yemen

These bans apply to individuals who were outside the US and did not have a valid visa as of 9 June 2025.

In addition, the US has imposed partial bans on seven other countries, where only limited categories of visas —such as some temporary work visas — are still being issued:

• Burundi
• Cuba
• Laos
• Sierra Leone
• Togo
• Turkmenistan
• Venezuela

For these countries, entry is fully suspended for immigrants, and partially restricted for nonimmigrants (specifically for B-1, B-2, F, M, and J visa categories). Other nonimmigrant visa categories may also face additional limitations, such as reduced visa validity periods.

These restrictions, according to the US government, are meant to protect the country from what they call “foreign terrorist threats” and to encourage compliance with international passport and immigration standards.

The bans do not apply to lawful permanent residents (green card holders), dual nationals travelling on a passport from a non-restricted country, certain diplomatic visa holders, or individuals seeking asylum or refugee status.

The US government is considering expanding these restrictions to additional countries, but as of 18 June 2025, the above lists are current.

The Next Wave: 36 additional countries at risk

Now, according to internal US government documents leaked to the press and confirmed by AFP and The Washington Post, the Trump administration is considering expanding the travel ban to 36 additional countries. Alarmingly, 25 of these countries are in Africa. This means nearly one-fifth of the world’s population could soon be affected by US entry restrictions.

Below is the full list of countries reportedly being considered for the expanded ban, grouped by continent:

1. Africa (25 countries)
   Angola
   Benin
   Burkina Faso
   Cameroon
   Cape Verde
   Democratic Republic of the Congo
   Djibouti
   Egypt
   Ethiopia
   Gabon
   Gambia
   Ghana
   Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire)
   Liberia
   Malawi
   Mauritania
   Niger
   Nigeria
   São Tomé and Príncipe
   Senegal
   South Sudan
   Tanzania
   Uganda
   Zambia
   Zimbabwe
2. Asia (4 countries)
   Bhutan
   Cambodia
   Kyrgyzstan
   Syria
3. Caribbean (4 countries)
   Antigua and Barbuda
   Dominica
   St. Kitts and Nevis
   St. Lucia
4. Pacific Islands (3 countries)
   Tonga
   Tuvalu
   Vanuatu

What Does This Mean for Africa?

If the expanded travel ban goes into effect, it would affect millions of Africans — including students, tourists, entrepreneurs, artists and people visiting family members. Countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia and Egypt have large diasporas in the US and maintain active exchanges in education, business and diplomacy. These bans could severely limit opportunities and disrupt families and economic ties.

The reported memo, signed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, gives countries a 60-day window to address Washington’s concerns. These include:

• Poor passport security
• Inadequate visa tracking
• Failure to accept deported nationals
• Security risks such as terrorism or organized fraud

If these countries do not show “sufficient progress” within the deadline, the ban could be implemented as early as mid-August 2025.

What Happens Next?

The final decision on the 36-country expansion is expected in the coming weeks. If the new bans are enforced, they could take effect as early as mid-August 2025.

Analysts are urging African governments, civil society organizations and the African Union to raise diplomatic concerns and advocate for fairer immigration standards that do not punish entire populations.

Femi Awoniyi

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