Syria
Venezuela
Yemen
Countries with Stricter Visa Requirements Travelers from the following countries will face enhanced visa scrutiny, with applications subject to more rigorous vetting processes:Belarus
Eritrea
Haiti
Laos
Myanmar
Pakistan
Russia
Sierra Leone
South Sudan
Turkmenistan
Countries Given 60 Days to Meet Security Standards These nations have 60 days to improve their traveler data-sharing and security measures. Failure to meet U.S. standards may result in further restrictions:
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Benin
Burkina Faso
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Chad
Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Dominica
Equatorial Guinea
Gambia
Liberia
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
São Tomé and Príncipe
Vanuatu
Zimbabwe
These changes stem from an executive order signed on January 20, called “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.” This order requires the Secretary of State and Secretary of Homeland Security to identify countries with inadequate screening protocols and track individuals from these countries who have entered the U.S. since January 20, 2021. Countries in the 60-day compliance category must submit detailed traveler information by March 21, or they risk facing further restrictions. This initiative is part of the administration’s broader effort to enhance border safety and national security.
