A new federal proclamation has significantly expanded travel restrictions to 39 countries and individuals using Palestinian Authority travel documents. These measures impact visa issuance and U.S. entry for students and scholars.
Effective Date: January 1, 2026 (Active at 7:01 p.m. HST, Dec 31).
Who is affected? Citizens of newly added nations (including Nigeria, Syria, Mali, Senegal, and others) and those with expired visas.
For students from affected countries: If you are currently outside the U.S. with a valid U.S. visa, ISS recommends that you re-enter before that visa expires. If you were planning to depart the U.S. to apply for a new visa, ISS recommends that you do not travel.