Afghanistan Joins Myanmar, Chad, Haiti, Iran, and More in Struggling with US Visa Bans: How the Latest US Travel Rules Are Shaping the Future of Global Movement — All You Need to Know

Published on December 16, 2025

Afghanistan has now joined Myanmar, Chad, Haiti, Iran, and several other countries in facing severe restrictions due to the latest US visa bans. These countries, once hopeful of greater global mobility, are now grappling with the toughest travel rules imposed by the United States. The US visa bans have significantly altered the future of global movement, making it nearly impossible for citizens of these nations to access U.S. travel opportunities. Whether it’s for work, study, or family reunions, the barriers are becoming insurmountable. As more nations fall under these restrictions, the impact on families, workers, and students grows. This new visa policy is creating frustration and uncertainty, and it’s reshaping how the world navigates travel and immigration. In this article, we will explore how these changes are affecting Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Haiti, Iran, and others — and why it matters for global movement.

Afghanistan: Dreams Denied Under Visa Suspension

The United States has fully suspended visa issuance and entry for Afghan nationals as part of its June 2025 travel ban. This means people from Afghanistan can no longer get a visa to enter the United States for any purpose — whether for tourism, study, work or family visits. The ban took effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT on 9 June 2025 and applies to both non‑immigrant and immigrant visas.

For ordinary Afghan citizens, this is a devastating blow. Students who had planned to study in US universities have seen their opportunities vanish overnight. Workers with job offers in the tech and service sectors can no longer travel to begin their careers. Families separated by borders face continued uncertainty and prolonged separation. Even cases of urgent medical treatment abroad face complex hurdles. The Afghan people, already dealing with instability at home, now face a complete halt in travel access to the world’s largest economy due to strict US national security policy.

Burma (Myanmar): A Total Block on Travel and Opportunity

Like Afghanistan, Burma — also known as Myanmar — is fully banned from US visas and entry. The US government has determined that security and overstay risks are too high to allow Burmese travellers through its visa systems.

This decision means every single category of visa is currently closed to Burmese nationals. Students accepted to US institutions must defer their plans. Workers with legal employment offers in the United States cannot begin their roles. Tourist and business travel has halted entirely. For people fleeing conflict or persecution, options for safer paths to the US have narrowed sharply. Burmese citizens are forced to consider alternate countries or stop travel plans altogether. The ban has transformed the global mobility of ordinary people from Myanmar and added deep uncertainty to their future movements.

Chad: Complete US Entry Suspension

Chadians now face a total suspension of US visa issuance and entry under the 2025 US visa policy. This reflects serious concerns from US authorities about visa overstays and cooperation on immigration matters.

For individuals from Chad, this means that all visa categories — whether tourist, business, study or work — are no longer accessible at US embassies or consulates. People hoping to reunite with relatives in the United States must await diplomatic changes or exemptions. Students with admissions are forced to look elsewhere. Employers sponsoring skilled workers can no longer bring them to the US. The suspension has left ordinary Chadians without a route to travel to American soil under legal visas, with no clear timeline for change.

Republic of the Congo: Borders Shut by US Policy

The United States has also fully restricted visas and entry for citizens of the Republic of the Congo. This ban covers all immigrant and non‑immigrant visa types and affects every age group.

Young people with dreams of schooling in America, business travellers with meetings scheduled, and families planning reunions are all impacted. The policy closes the door on legitimate plans and forces people to reassess careers and life goals. Even urgent missions, such as medical travel or attending significant family events, face complex exceptions. Ordinary Congolese travellers must stay within their region or find alternate destinations, as the US visa path is effectively shut for now.

Equatorial Guinea: Complete Visa Block Hits Citizens

Equatorial Guinea finds itself among the nations facing full suspension of US visa issuance and entry. The policy applies to all categories, from temporary visits to long‑term immigrations.

People from Equatorial Guinea who dreamed of studying at prestigious US universities must postpone or cancel their plans. Professionals with job offers can no longer travel to take up roles. Family members from Equatorial Guinea seeking to attend important life events in the United States must face long delays if exceptions apply. Everyday travellers are left with travel aspirations but no legal pathway to enter the United States. The policy has shifted global mobility for Equatorial Guineans, turning hope into a waiting game.

Eritrea: Visa System Collapses

The US government has fully suspended visa issuance and entry for nationals of Eritrea. This move reflects longstanding US concerns about inadequate identity documentation and cooperation on immigration matters from Eritrea.

For students, professionals, and families, this ban has closed the route to the United States entirely. Eritrean students will not see their names on US university rosters next semester. Workers with employment offers in the US find their legal pathway gone. Families hoping for reunification are stranded indefinitely. The policy reflects a severe diplomatic and security stance that affects ordinary Eritrean lives, limiting their ability to engage with the United States legally and safely.

Haiti: Citizens Face US Travel Freeze

Haiti has also been placed on the full list of nations whose citizens cannot obtain US visas or enter the country under normal visa procedures. The United States cited concerns including past overstay patterns and limited cooperation on immigration matters.

This means Haitian nationals cannot visit the United States for tourism, work, study or family reasons under standard visa categories. Haitian families with relatives in the United States must seek special exemptions or indefinite delays. Students accepted to American colleges face cancelled opportunities. Workers with job offers must look to other countries or postpone their careers. Ordinary travel plans have stopped, altering personal and economic mobility for many Haitian people.

Iran: Broad Suspension of Visas

Iran is fully suspended from obtaining visas and entering the United States under the 2025 proclamation. The ban stems from strategic and national security concerns.

This suspension halts all regular paths to the US for Iranian citizens. Students with plans to study abroad are blocked. Business travellers with legal purposes are denied access. Family visits across borders remain uncertain. The policy reflects the US government’s stance on state‑sponsored threats and national security priorities. For ordinary Iranian families and professionals, this ban has deep repercussions, forcing many to seek opportunities elsewhere.

US Visa Policy Changes: Expanded Social Media Vetting, Higher Fees, and Stricter Travel Restrictions

The United States has made significant updates to its visa policies in 2025, impacting a broad range of foreign nationals seeking to travel, study, or work in the country. These changes, announced by the U.S. Department of State, are primarily driven by national security concerns but are expected to have widespread effects on the H‑1B work visa system, student and exchange visitor visas, and even Visa Waiver Program (VWP) applicants. Below, we take a closer look at the key updates and their implications.

1. Expanded Social Media and Online Vetting for Visa Applicants

Starting 15 December 2025, the U.S. government expanded its visa screening process for many applicants. This includes H‑1B professional workers, their H‑4 dependents, and a variety of non‑immigrant visa applicants such as F, M, and J students and exchange visitors. These applicants will now be required to make their social media profiles public so that U.S. consular officers can assess their online presence as part of the visa vetting process. The policy aims to enhance national security by enabling consular officers to review social media activity and online interactions.

The shift in privacy settings will require applicants to adjust their social media to public viewing, allowing for increased monitoring of online behaviour. While the official explanation cites national security as the primary reason for these changes, many applicants, especially those with professional and educational aspirations, may find it difficult to comply with this expanded screening. It’s expected that this vetting will significantly increase the scrutiny of those seeking visas to enter the U.S.

2. Visa Interviews Now Must Be Held in Applicant’s Country of Residence

Another significant policy change is the requirement that visa interviews must now be scheduled in the applicant’s country of residence or nationality, effectively eliminating the previous flexibility to attend visa interviews in third countries. This change applies to nearly all non‑immigrant visa categories, including tourists, business visitors, students, and temporary workers.

The consequence of this policy is that applicants who previously had the option of traveling to other countries with shorter wait times or fewer bureaucratic hurdles must now endure longer processing times and increased travel costs to attend interviews at U.S. embassies and consulates in their home countries. For some, this policy change will cause delays, added costs, and increased stress, especially for those living in countries where visa processing times are already notoriously long.

3. Higher Fees for H‑1B Work Visas

In September 2025, the U.S. government introduced a $100,000 supplemental fee for employers filing new H‑1B visa petitions for specialty workers. This additional fee is on top of the regular application fees. The measure aims to reduce the influx of foreign workers coming to the U.S. on H‑1B work visas and is set to apply to new petitions filed between September 2025 and 2026.

The decision has already faced criticism, particularly from employers and industries that rely heavily on skilled foreign workers, such as technology companies, medical institutions, and research organizations. These sectors argue that the fee could discourage skilled professionals from seeking employment in the U.S. and harm economic growth. Some U.S. states have even challenged the policy in court, arguing it could be unlawful and damaging to industries that depend on international talent.

This new fee, especially the $100,000 surcharge, will place a financial burden on companies, forcing many to reconsider their hiring decisions or look for alternatives to fill skilled roles.

4. Proposed Social Media and Personal Data Requirements for Visa Waiver Program Visitors

A new proposal in 2025 suggests that Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travellers — individuals from 40 countries who normally do not require a visa to visit the U.S. — may soon need to disclose extensive social media history, email addresses, and personal and family data when applying for travel authorization under the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization).

This major expansion of data collection would apply to citizens of countries like France, Japan, and the United Kingdom, who previously could travel to the U.S. without needing a visa. Critics argue that the proposal could make travel to the U.S. less attractive to tourists and business people, especially since it may require disclosure of five years of online activity. Additionally, it could deter potential visitors concerned about the level of personal information that would need to be shared with U.S. authorities. While not yet finalized, the proposal is expected to be fully enacted by early 2026, affecting millions of international visitors who have enjoyed hassle-free access to the U.S. in recent years.

5. Travel Bans and Entry Restrictions on Select Countries

Presidential Proclamation 10949, issued on 4 June 2025, imposed sweeping travel bans and entry restrictions on nationals from certain countries, selectively restricting access to the U.S.. Under this measure, nationals from specific countries face outright bans on entry, while others may face limited access under strict conditions. These travel bans are a continuation of the U.S. government’s hardline stance on immigration, focusing on national security concerns.

Countries impacted by the restrictions include those with ongoing conflicts, state sponsors of terrorism, or poor cooperation with U.S. immigration authorities. This selective approach is expected to affect both tourists and business travellers, with many would‑be visitors now excluded from applying for visas unless they meet very specific and limited criteria. Visa applicants from banned countries will have to navigate additional hurdles and may be left with no choice but to apply under different, more difficult circumstances or wait for policy changes.

Who Is Affected by These Changes?

The policy changes will have significant impacts on a variety of groups:

• H‑1B workers and their H‑4 dependents will face more stringent vetting, higher fees, and new restrictions on their ability to access the U.S.
• International students and exchange visitors (F, M, and J visas) will need to make their social media profiles public as part of the new vetting process and adhere to increased scrutiny for their applications.
• Non‑immigrant visa applicants — including tourists, business travellers, and temporary workers — will find that they must attend visa interviews in their home countries and will be subject to extended delays.
• Visa Waiver travellers from VWP countries will have to disclose more personal information, which could lead to concerns about privacy and potential discouragement from visiting the U.S.

These changes are intended to tighten U.S. border security and improve the vetting process for foreign nationals but are expected to make travel to the U.S. more burdensome and time-consuming for many.

Conclusion

The recent U.S. visa policy changes represent a dramatic shift in how foreign nationals can access the United States. From expanded social media vetting to higher fees for skilled workers, tighter visa interview requirements, and stricter entry restrictions for some countries, the new rules will likely complicate the travel and immigration process for millions.

These measures are seen by the U.S. government as a way to enhance national security and reduce risks associated with foreign visitors. However, the additional hurdles they create — including higher costs for employers and reduced travel opportunities for tourists and students — may have unintended consequences. As these changes unfold, travellers, workers, students, and families will need to navigate a more complex and challenging visa application process.

The tightening of U.S. immigration rules is an ongoing trend, and the 2025 visa changes are likely just the beginning of a broader shift in how foreign nationals are screened before entering the United States.