The Trump administration is advancing plans for a three-tiered travel restriction framework affecting citizens from up to 43 countries, according to internal memos and reports from multiple news outlets.
Restriction Categories and Impacted Nations
The proposed system categorises countries into three groups based on perceived security risks and compliance with U.S. vetting standards:
1. Full Visa Suspension (“Red List”)
Eleven nations face complete entry bans under the current draft, including Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen. Bhutan’s inclusion has drawn scrutiny, with analysts noting its absence from prior security-focused lists.
2. Partial Restrictions (“Orange List”)
Ten countries—including Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, South Sudan, Russia, and Pakistan—would face stringent visa limitations. Tourist, student, and immigrant visas would be suspended, though exceptions for business or emergency travel may apply. Russia’s inclusion coincides with Trump’s diplomatic outreach to Moscow, raising questions about geopolitical motivations.
3. Conditional Compliance (“Yellow List”)
22 nations, such as Belarus, Cambodia, and Turkmenistan, risk partial visa suspensions unless they address deficiencies in security screening within 60 days. This group includes several African and Southeast Asian states previously untargeted by U.S. travel bans.
The initiative builds on Trump’s January 20 executive order mandating enhanced vetting for foreign nationals. This directive follows his October 2023 pledge to restrict entry from regions deemed security threats, including Gaza, Libya, and Yemen. While the new proposal avoids explicit religious targeting seen in Trump’s first-term Muslim-majority country bans, it retains a focus on nations with perceived security gaps.
Key details remain unresolved, including whether existing visa holders would be exempt and how the administration defines “deficiencies” in vetting processes. Legal experts warn that the policy could face judicial challenges, though the Supreme Court upheld earlier iterations in 2018. The State Department has not publicly confirmed the memo’s authenticity or provided implementation timelines.
If enacted, the restrictions could strain diplomatic relations, particularly with Russia and Pakistan, while complicating international travel and education. Advocacy groups have urged caution for affected nationals, advising against non-essential travel until official guidance emerges.