Saint Lucia Joins Antigua and Barbuda, Ghana, Tanzania, Nigeria, and Egypt in the US Travel Ban Expansion – What This Means for Global Travelers?

Published on December 11, 2025

By: Paramita Sarkar

In a significant development that could affect travelers across the globe, Saint Lucia has joined Antigua and Barbuda, Ghana, Tanzania, Nigeria, and Egypt as potential additions to the U.S. travel ban expansion. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is currently reviewing a proposed expansion that could involve up to 36 additional countries, largely focused on Africa and some regions of the Middle East and Asia. If finalized, this expansion will tighten the travel restrictions for citizens of these countries, who are currently part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

The U.S. government initially implemented travel restrictions in 2025 for 19 countries, targeting immigrant visas and certain non-immigrant visas. These included full and partial bans on specific travel categories, primarily to enhance national security. Now, the administration is considering extending these restrictions to additional nations, with a particular focus on Nigeria, Tanzania, Egypt, Ghana, Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, and others.

As of December 11, 2025, the U.S. government has yet to finalize the expanded list, but reports from both government sources and media outlets have consistently identified these five countries among those likely to face new restrictions. Travelers from these nations may soon find it more difficult to obtain U.S. visas, especially for tourism, business, and education purposes.

The Countries Affected by the Proposed Expansion

The proposed changes primarily affect travelers from the 42 Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries. These nations allow their citizens to visit the U.S. without a visa for short stays (up to 90 days) for tourism, business, or transit. However, the expanded ban would apply to both full travel bans and partial restrictions on immigrant and non-immigrant visas.

Countries Currently Under Restrictions (Proclamation June 2025)

The 19 countries that have already been impacted by travel restrictions fall into two categories: full bans and partial restrictions.

• Full Travel Ban (12 Countries):
  • Afghanistan
  • Chad
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Haiti
  • Iran
  • Libya
  • Myanmar (Burma)
  • Somalia
  • Sudan
  • Yemen
  • Republic of the Congo
• Partial Restrictions (7 Countries):
  • Burundi
  • Cuba
  • Laos
  • Sierra Leone
  • Togo
  • Turkmenistan
  • Venezuela

Countries Under Consideration for the Expanded Ban

While the official final list of countries for the expanded travel ban has not been confirmed, government reports suggest that Saint Lucia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Egypt, Ghana, and Antigua and Barbuda are all part of the countries under consideration. The proposal would extend the travel restrictions to a larger number of countries, with sub-Saharan Africa being a primary focus.

Here’s the list of countries under consideration for the expanded travel ban:

• Saint Lucia
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Ghana
• Tanzania
• Nigeria
• Egypt
• Burkina Faso
• Cameroon
• Liberia
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Ethiopia
• Sao Tome and Principe

These countries, many of which are located in Sub-Saharan Africa, have been identified in internal government cables as likely candidates for the expansion, based on concerns over national security, terrorism, and immigration-related issues. The inclusion of nations like Saint Lucia and Antigua and Barbuda is notable, as they are often seen as transit points for travelers heading to the U.S. from other regions.

Why is the U.S. Expanding the Travel Ban?

The expansion of the travel ban is part of the Trump administration’s broader national security strategy, which was initiated following an Executive Order issued earlier in the year. The administration aims to improve security vetting for travelers from countries deemed to pose a higher risk to the U.S. The expansion follows ongoing concerns about terrorism, immigration fraud, and other threats to U.S. interests, particularly from countries with weak or inconsistent immigration controls.

This proposed expansion comes at a time when global security concerns are at the forefront of U.S. policy. The Department of Homeland Security is increasing its scrutiny of travelers from certain nations, ensuring that all individuals entering the U.S. undergo more rigorous checks. The move is designed to prevent individuals with potential links to extremist groups from entering the country under the guise of business, tourism, or education.

How Will the Expansion Impact Travelers?

The impact of the expanded travel ban will likely be significant for travelers from affected countries. For citizens of Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Egypt, the new restrictions could make it harder to travel to the U.S. for various purposes, including business, tourism, and education. Those wishing to visit the U.S. may face increased difficulty in obtaining visas, especially for categories such as B-1 (business), B-2 (tourist), and F-1 (student) visas.

The expanded travel ban could also lead to delays in visa processing and additional scrutiny for travelers already in the U.S. on temporary visas. For nationals of sub-Saharan African countries, the proposed changes are likely to disrupt travel plans and complicate the immigration process.

What’s Next for the Proposed Expansion?

As of now, the Department of Homeland Security has not finalized the list of affected countries. The official announcement will likely come in early 2026, after the completion of a public review and internal discussions within the U.S. government. Travelers from the affected countries are advised to stay informed and check for updates from the U.S. Embassy or the U.S. Department of State regarding the new requirements and restrictions.

If finalized, the new regulations are expected to come into effect by 2027, but travelers should expect significant delays and additional vetting during the transition period.