US Expands Travel Ban: Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, Togo, and Other Countries Affected
President Donald Trump has announced an expanded US travel ban affecting nationals from several countries, including Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, Togo, and others. The new restrictions will take effect on January 1, 2026, aiming to address security concerns cited by the US government.
Full Entry Restrictions:
The US government has imposed full-entry bans on nationals from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Syria, and holders of Palestinian Authority-issued travel documents. Additionally, Laos and Sierra Leone, previously under partial restrictions, are now fully banned.
Reasons cited include terrorist activity, civil unrest, high visa overstay rates, weak identity management systems, and non-cooperation in accepting deported nationals.
Partial Entry Restrictions:
Countries facing partial restrictions include Nigeria, Benin, Angola, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, and others. For Nigeria, the US highlighted Boko Haram and Islamic State operations in some regions, creating significant challenges for screening and vetting travelers. Nigeria also has a 5.56% B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate and 11.9% overstay for student and exchange visas, according to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Exceptions and Waivers:
Lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, diplomats, athletes, and travelers on national-interest missions may be exempt. Case-by-case waivers will also be considered.
Historical Context:
This is the third travel ban imposed by President Trump, with previous bans introduced during his first term in 2017 and a subsequent expansion in June 2025. The measures aim to protect the US from national security and public safety threats arising from deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing in the affected countries.
Impact:
The expanded ban affects immigrants, tourists, students, and business travelers, creating uncertainty for travelers from affected nations. Authorities warn that improvements in identity management and cooperation with US immigration authorities could lead to a future lifting of restrictions.
Full List of Countries Affected:
Full Restrictions: Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burma, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Palestinian Authority travel documents.
Partial Restrictions: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Special Case: Turkmenistan (immigrant visa restrictions remain; non-immigrant visa restrictions lifted).
The US government emphasizes that these travel measures are temporary and will remain until affected countries demonstrate credible improvements in screening, vetting, and cooperation.
