On December 16, 2025, President Trump issued a new presidential proclamation restricting and limiting the entry of foreign nationals. This action adds countries, modifies some existing restrictions, and changes some of the exceptions that were announced on June 4, 2025.

These changes take effect 12:01 a.m. EST on January 1, 2026. It fully suspends entry by some citizens of some countries and imposes a partial restriction for others. Please read the details below and remember that entry restrictions are subject to change. We advise you to consult the Immigration Updates section of the ISSS website regularly for the latest information. 

Full Entry Restrictions

The proclamation continues the full suspension of entry outlined in the June update for nationals from the following countries:

• Afghanistan
• Burma (Myanmar)
• Chad
• Republic of the Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Haiti
• Iran
• Libya
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Yemen

  And adds the full suspension of entry for nationals from the following countries:

• Burkina Faso
• Laos
• Mali
• Niger
• Sierra Leone
• South Sudan
• Syria
• Full entry restrictions also apply to individuals traveling on travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority. 
  

Partial Entry Suspensions

The partial entry restrictions to the United States include B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, and reduces the validity of other nonimmigrant visas.

The proclamation continues the partial restriction of entry for nationals from the following countries:

• Burundi
• Cuba
• Togo
• Venezuela
• And adds the partial restriction of entry for nationals from the following countries:
• Angola
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Benin
• Cote d’Ivoire
• Dominica
• Gabon
• The Gambia
• Malawi
• Mauritania
• Nigeria
• Senegal
• Tanzania
• Tonga
• Turkmenistan
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
• The new proclamation removes Turkmenistan from the Partial Travel Ban list for purposes of nonimmigrant visas but continues the restriction on nationals of Turkmenistan entering the United States using immigrant visas.

  
  

  International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)

  At CU Denver | CU Anschutz, we strive to ensure everyone feels welcomed, respected, and well-supported. If you have questions, concerns, or just want to chat, ISSS is here for you. You are a valued part of our community!

  Please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) below for details. The FAQ is based on currently available information. It does not relate to any specific situation and should not be considered legal advice.

  Campus Resources

  The following resources are always available to you.

• CU Denver Students: You’ll find links to the Counseling Center, Learning Resources Center, the Wellness Center, and more here. . Don’t know who to talk to? Start with Lynx Central to find the right person to talk to, no matter what the topic.
• CU Anschutz Students: You’ll find information about and links to a variety of student services here.
• Faculty and Staff: You may schedule an appointment with an ISSS staff member at Appointments | International Student & Scholar Services. The Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP) provides confidential mental health counseling and financial coaching services at no cost to the employee. In addition, the Faculty & Staff Mental Health Clinic offers confidential mental health services on-campus and accepts most major insurance plans.
  

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: Does the December 16, 2025, proclamation require an international student or scholar who is a national of one of the designated countries to leave the United States?

A: No. The new proclamation regarding entry restrictions does not require anyone from one of the designated countries to depart the United States. The restrictions do not affect the immigration status for those who are already present in the United States.

Q: How does the December 16, 2025, presidential proclamation affect foreign nationals who are citizens of Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Syria or who hold Palestinian Authority documents and who are (or will be) international students or scholars at CU Denver | CU Anschutz and wish to enter the United States? 

A: Beginning January 1, 2026, citizens of the countries listed above are barred from entering the United States if they: (1) are not U.S. lawful permanent residents (“green card” holders); (2) are outside the United States on or after that date; and (3) do not have a valid visa prior to January 1, 2026. This restriction applies to both intending nonimmigrants (on temporary visas) and immigrants (those granted lawful permanent residency upon entry).

Q: How does the December 16, 2025, presidential proclamation affect foreign nationals who are citizens of Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Zambia, Zimbabwe,  who are (or will be) international students or scholars at the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz and wish to enter the United States? 

A: As of January 1, 2026, nationals of the countries listed above are prohibited from entering the United States if they: (1) are not U.S. lawful permanent residents; (2) are outside the United States on or after that date; and (3) did not hold a valid visa before January 1, 2026. This suspension applies to individuals seeking entry either as immigrants (granted lawful permanent residency upon arrival) or as nonimmigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, or J visas.  Note that the restrictions on Turkmenistan have been modified from full to partial restriction on entry. 

Q: If a student or scholar is from one of the designated countries, does the new presidential proclamation revoke (cancel) their valid visa stamp in their passport? 

A: No. The new proclamation does not revoke (cancel) or otherwise affect the validity of a current U.S. visa. 

Q: Do the new entry restrictions apply to someone who is a dual citizen of one of the designated countries and another country? 

A: No. The new entry restrictions do not apply to an individual who is a dual citizen if they present a passport from a non-designated country (i.e. not one of the nineteen named countries) when entering the United States. The U.S. visa stamp must be in the passport from the non-designated country.

Q: When do the new entry restrictions become effective? 

A: The effective date of the new entry restrictions is 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 1, 2026. Prior restrictions remain in effect with an effective date of June 9, 2025. 

Q: Can an international student or scholar from one of the designated countries, who currently has a valid visa, leave the United States and reenter? 

A: If the visa was issued before the effective date of the presidential proclamation’s restrictions and remains valid on the date of reentry to the United States, then the international student or scholar may use the valid visa to reenter the United States. However, foreign nationals from one of the designated countries should exercise caution and seriously consider potential risks when deciding to travel outside of the United States.

Q: Are there any exceptions to the entry restrictions established by this presidential proclamation?

A: Yes. The presidential proclamation outlines the following exceptions to the entry restrictions:

• Any lawful permanent resident of the United States
• Any dual national of a designated country when traveling on a passport issued by a country not so designated
• Any foreign national traveling with a valid nonimmigrant visa in the following classifications: A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1, NATO-2, NATO-3, NATO-4, NATO-5, NATO-6
• Any athlete or member of an athletic team — including coaches, support personnel, and immediate relatives — traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event as determined by the Secretary of State
• Special Immigrant Visas for U.S. government employees
• Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran

Q: Can a citizen of one of the designated countries affected by the entry restrictions request a unique exception under the new presidential proclamation to apply for a visa on or after the effective date for their country, if special circumstances apply? 

A: Yes. Under the new presidential proclamation, the U.S. Attorney General may grant a case-by-case exception if she finds that the travel by the individual would advance a critical U.S. national interest involving the Department of Justice, including when individuals must be present to participate in criminal proceedings as witnesses. These exceptions are up to the discretion of the U.S. Attorney General and must be made in coordination with the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security. 

Also, on a case-by-case basis, the U.S. Secretary of State may grant exceptions for individuals for whom he determines that the travel by the individual would serve a U.S. national interest.  These exceptions are up to the discretion of the U.S. Secretary of State and must be made in coordination with the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security. 

The U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security may also grant a case-by-case exception if she finds that travel by the individual would serve a U.S. national interest.  These exceptions are up to the discretion of the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and must be made in coordination with the U.S. Secretary of State. 

Q: If an international student or scholar believes that one of the stated exceptions may be applicable to their situation, whom should they contact for assistance?

A: For legal advice about an exception to the entry restrictions, please seek the assistance of a private immigration lawyer or nonprofit legal services provider. You’ll find a guide here: Hiring an Immigration Attorney.

Q: Are resources available online to read more about the new entry restrictions? 

A: On the White House website in the Executive/Presidential Actions section, is the text of the presidential proclamation. 

Q: How can I keep informed about any further changes to entry restrictions or how these changes will affect me?

Entry restrictions are subject to change, and we advise you to consult the Immigration Updates section of the ISSS website for the latest information. 

If you have questions about your specific circumstances, you may contact ISSS at [email protected] or schedule an appointment with an ISSS staff member here - Appointments | International Student & Scholar Services