The U.S. Department of State has announced significant visa and entry restrictions under Presidential Proclamation 10998, titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.” These measures take effect January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST. 

Full Suspension of Visa Issuance

Visa issuance is fully suspended for nationals of the following 19 countries, as well as individuals traveling on documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority, across all immigrant and non-immigrants categories (with limited exceptions): 

Afghanistan, Burma, Burkina Faso, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. 

Partial Suspension of Visa Issuance

Visa issuance is partially suspended for nationals of the following 19 countries: 

Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. 

For these countries, suspensions apply to: 

• B-1/B-2 visitor visas 
• F, M, J student and exchange visas 
• All immigrant visas (with limited exceptions) 

Suspension of Issuance of Immigrant Visas

As of January 1, 2026, visa issuance for nationals of Turkmenistan is partially suspended for all immigrant visas, subject to limited exceptions. 

Key Exceptions 

The following categories may still qualify for visa issuance: 

• Certain diplomatic and official visas 
• Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran 
• Dual nationals applying with a passport from a non-restricted country 
• Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for eligible U.S. government employees 
• Participants in select major international sporting events 
• Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) 

Notably, immediate family immigrant visas, adoption visas, and Afghan SIVs previously allowed under Proclamation 10949 are no longer exempt under Proclamation 10998. 

Applicability 

• The Proclamation applies only to foreign nationals who are outside the U.S. and do not hold a valid visa as of January 1, 2026. 
• Valid visas issued before this date remain valid and will not be revoked. 
• Affected applicants may still apply and attend interviews but may be found ineligible for visa issuance or entry. 

National Interest Exceptions 

U.S. authorities may grant case-by-case national interest exceptions in coordination with the Departments of State, Homeland Security, or Justice. 

• The full text of Presidential Proclamation 10998 (issued December 16, 2025) is available here. 

• Information about the June 4, 2025, Presidential Proclamation 10949 on “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats” can be found here. 

We will continue to monitor and report any updates on this important regulatory change.