Travel Ban Expanded; New Countries Affected!
The expanded travel ban reinforces an important reality of today’s Diversity Visa Program: visa issuance does not guarantee entry into the United States.
News
U.S. President Donald Trump has expanded his administration’s travel restrictions to include additional countries – significantly broadening a ban that had already been in place for several months.
The expanded measures, which took effect on December 16, 2025 build on earlier restrictions, and further limit entry into the United States for nationals of a number of new countries. As with the original ban, the latest expansion carries serious implications for immigration programs, including the Diversity Visa (DV) Program.
Countries Subject to the Travel Ban
Like in the case of the previous proclamation, travel ban countries fall into two main categories: totally banned and partially banned.
Countries Subject to a Total Ban
Nationals of the following countries are broadly barred from immigrating to the United States, with very limited exceptions. This category includes restrictions on immigrant visas, which directly affects Diversity Visa applicants.
New countries reported as subject to a total ban include:
- Burkina Faso
- Laos (upgraded from partially-banned)
- Mali
- Niger
- Sierra Leone (upgraded from partially banned)
- South Sudan
- Syria
- Individuals with Palestinian Authority Documents
For Diversity Visa applicants from these countries, the consequences are straightforward: even if selected and issued a Diversity Visa, entry into the United States is prohibited for as long as the ban remains in effect.
Countries Subject to a Partial Ban
Partial bans impose restrictions on specific visa categories rather than a blanket prohibition. While the exact scope varies by country, immigrant visa categories—including Diversity Visas – are typically affected.
New countries under partial restrictions include:
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Benin
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Dominica
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Tanzania
- Tonga
- Turkmenistan (now immigrant visas only)
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
A partial ban means that some non-immigrant visa categories may still be permitted entry, but immigrant visas are not; meaning Diversity Visa applicants are generally unable to enter the United States even if they succeed in processing.
What This Means for Diversity Visa Applicants
The expanded travel ban reinforces an important reality of today’s Diversity Visa Program: visa issuance does not guarantee entry into the United States. An applicant from a banned country may:
- Be selected in the DV Lottery
- Complete consular processing
- Be Issued a Diversity Visa
. . . yet be denied entry at a U.S. port of entry if their country remains on the travel ban list.
In other words, the travel ban overrides Diversity Visa issuance for nationals of affected countries.
Ongoing Uncertainty
As with previous iterations of the travel ban, the restrictions are subject to change through future presidential actions, court rulings, or policy revisions. However, until such changes are formally announced, the expanded ban remains in force.
Diversity Visa applicants from affected countries should therefore proceed with caution and remain aware that selection – and in this case, issuance – does not guarantee immigration to the United States for as long as the above restrictions apply.
