African countries, others listed as Trump sweeping travel ban targets 43 nations

Donald Trump is poised to enact a sweeping travel ban affecting 43 countries, with visas from Russia facing sharp restrictions and Belarusian travelers bracing for heavy sanctions, according to a report by the New York Times.

The move—one of the most dramatic immigration crackdowns of Trump’s second term—comes as he juggles delicate ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. The U.S. president warned that if talks fail, World War III could “very easily” erupt, with catastrophic consequences.

A leaked State Department memo outlines a three-tiered system of restrictions:

• Total Visa Suspensions: Eleven countries, including Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, and North Korea, face the harshest restrictions, effectively barring their citizens from obtaining U.S. visas.
• Partial Suspensions: Ten other nations would experience significant limits on tourist, student, and immigrant visas, with some exceptions.
• Potential Suspensions: A further 22 countries—many from the Middle East and Africa—have been given 60 days to rectify alleged security deficiencies or risk facing similar restrictions.

Russian visas are reportedly among those set for severe curtailment, while wealthy individuals and business travelers from certain restricted countries may still be granted entry, provided they undergo mandatory in-person interviews.

For many, the policy is reminiscent of Trump’s controversial 2017 travel ban, which restricted visitors from seven majority-Muslim nations.

His latest order, signed on January 20, demands intensified security screenings for all foreign nationals seeking U.S. entry. Cabinet officials were given until March 21 to determine which nations fail to meet U.S. security standards.

Trump first teased the move during an October 2023 speech, when he pledged to bar travelers from Gaza, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen, among other regions he deemed security risks.

The immigration crackdown coincides with escalating global tensions over Ukraine, with Trump sounding the alarm over a potential nuclear conflict.

“I think we have it, but this could very easily lead to World War III,” he told the Justice Department last night. He claimed that since taking office, his administration had been working to end the war and was in direct talks with Vladimir Putin.

Trump also alleged that the U.S. had sent $350 billion to Europe—an amount analysts say is inflated—and suggested he was negotiating a way to “get that back.”

While the State Department has yet to comment on the proposed ban, officials warn the list may change before final approval.

Check out the list of countries

All travel banned:

Afghanistan

Bhutan

Cuba

Iran

Libya

North Korea

Somalia

Sudan

Syria

Venezuela

Yemen

Visas sharply restricted:

Belarus

Eritrea

Haiti

Laos

Myanmar

Pakistan

Russia

Sierra Leone

South Sudan

Turkmenistan

Countries have 60 days to address concerns:

Angola

Antigua and Barbuda

Benin

Burkina Faso

Cambodia

Cameroon

Cape Verde

Chad

Republic of Congo

Democratic Republic of Congo

Dominica

Equatorial Guinea

Gambia

Liberia

Malawi

Mali

Mauritania

St. Kitts and Nevis

St. Lucia

São Tomé and Príncipe

Vanuatu

Zimbabwe