Washington, D.C. – Effective June 9, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EDT, the United States will fully or partially suspend visa issuance for nationals of 19 countries in accordance with a new Presidential Proclamation aimed at strengthening national security and public safety.
The policy, titled “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” imposes strict entry limitations while maintaining exemptions for certain categories of travelers.
Partial Visa Restrictions for 7 Countries
Nationals of Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela will face partial suspensions, including:
- B-1/B-2 (business/tourism) visas
- F, M, and J (student/exchange) visas
- All immigrant visas
Exemptions mirror those of the full suspension, with additional case-by-case discretion for national interest waivers.
Key Details
Applies only to foreign nationals outside the U.S. without a valid visa as of June 9, 2025.
Existing valid visas will not be revoked.
Applicants may still apply but may be deemed ineligible under the new rules.
The Secretary of State, in consultation with Homeland Security, may grant exceptions for individuals deemed in the U.S. national interest.
The measure reinforces the administration’s commitment to “rigorous, security-focused vetting” to prevent threats to national security.
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