2025 Travel Ban: FAQ for Travelers

On June 4, 2025, President Trump published a Proclamation restricting the issuance of new visas and entry to the United States of nationals from 19 countries. The following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) provides details regarding the substance of the Proclamation, impacts on specific populations, exceptions to the restrictions, and best practices moving forward. We encourage you to review these issues carefully and consult with your organizational sponsor or a trusted immigration lawyer to address any questions you have.

General Information

Q1. What is the 2025 travel ban?

The travel ban is a Proclamation issued by President Trump on June 4, 2025, restricting entry of nationals from 19 countries due to the Administration’s determination of security risks posed by the screening, vetting, and cooperation of those countries with our immigration enforcement agencies.

Q2. When does the Proclamation go into effect?

The Proclamation becomes effective on Monday, June 9, 2025. This means that individuals impacted by the travel ban must enter the United States before the end of day on Sunday, June 8, 2025.

Impact of the Proclamation

Q3. Who is affected by the Proclamation? 

The Proclamation separates impacted countries into two (2) categories:

Full Entry Suspensions (Immigrant & Nonimmigrant Visas)

Visa issuance and entry to the United States are suspended for all immigrants and nonimmigrants who are nationals of the following 12 countries:

The reasons cited for restricting entry from nationals of these countries are: a lack of government control, high visa overstay rates, refusal to accept deportees, and terrorist affiliations. 

Partial Entry Suspensions (Certain Visa Types)

Visa issuance and entry to the United States is suspended for all immigrants and certain nonimmigrants (B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J categories) who are nationals of the following 7 countries:

Additional restrictions: consular officers will limit the validity period of other visas where legally permissible. More information on this restriction is forthcoming as the restrictions are implemented.

Q4. How long will these restrictions last?

The Proclamation includes a periodic review and adjustment process:

• The Secretary of State, in coordination with other agencies, will review affected countries every 90 to 180 days.
• The U.S. will work with foreign governments to improve vetting and compliance.
• Countries may be removed or added to the travel ban based upon updated assessments (e.g., Egypt’s procedures are under review).

Q5. Does the Proclamation apply to people already in the U.S.?

No. It only applies to individuals outside the United States who do not hold a valid visa as of June 9, 2025.

Q6. Does this Proclamation revoke valid visas?

No. It does not revoke visas that were issued before the effective date.

Exceptions and Waivers

Q7. Are there any exceptions to the travel ban?

Yes. The following individuals are exempt:

• U.S. lawful permanent residents (green card holders)
• Dual nationals (if traveling on a passport from a non-listed country)
  • For example, if you are a passport holder of both the United Kingdom and Chad, you are still able to apply for a visa to travel to the United States, if you use your U.K. passport for that process.
• Diplomats and international organization employees (i.e., A, G, NATO visa holders)
• Athletes participating in major sporting events
• Certain family-based immigrant visa holders, including:
  • IR-1 / CR-1: Spouses of a U.S. citizen
  • IR-2 / CR-2: Unmarried children (under 21) of a U.S. citizen
  • IR-5: Parents of a U.S. citizen (if the U.S. citizen is over 21)
• Afghan and U.S. government Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders
  • Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders are individuals granted a U.S. immigrant visa under a special legal category for people who have provided qualifying service to the U.S. government abroad, typically in high-risk environments such as Afghanistan or Iraq.
• Religious minorities from Iran

Q8. Are asylum seekers or refugees affected?

No. The Proclamation does not apply to:

• Asylum seekers
• Refugees already admitted to the U.S.
• Individuals protected under the Convention Against Torture

Q9. Can anyone else apply for a waiver?

Yes. Waivers may be granted on a case-by-case basis, including for:

• Travelers whose entry is in the national interest
• Individuals needed for law enforcement or judicial proceedings (e.g., trial witnesses)

Q10. How do I know if I qualify for a National Interest Exemption (NIE)?

You might qualify for an NIE if:

• You are critical to U.S. law enforcement or intelligence efforts (e.g., a witness or expert in a criminal trial);
• You are traveling to support U.S. government interests, such as diplomatic missions or military cooperation;
• Your travel is related to major economic activity or public health efforts;
• You are involved in essential infrastructure or supply chain operations;
• Your presence is urgently needed by a U.S. employer or agency;
• You are an athlete, artist, or other public figure participating in a high-profile event deemed in the national interest;
• You have humanitarian grounds that intersect with national interest (e.g., medical professionals during emergencies).

***Important Note: An NIE is not guaranteed and is granted at the discretion of consular officers and other government officials.***

Q11. How long would a National Interest Exemption take?

There is no fixed processing time for National Interest Exemptions.

Q12. If I think I qualify for a National Interest Exemption, what should I do?

Contact your employer or immigration lawyer to explore your eligibility.

Q13. If I do not qualify for a National Interest Exemption and I am stuck outside of the United States, do I have other options to return?

Contact your employer, U.S. relative, or an immigration lawyer to explore what options may exist.

Travel & Mobility

Q14.  I am a national of one of the impacted countries, should I cancel international travel?

It depends. If you are a national of an affected country, you should avoid international travel unless you have a valid visa, or are exempt, or have already secured a waiver.

Q15. What are the risks of travel for affected individuals?

Nationals of the affected countries face serious risks if they travel internationally. Even with a valid visa, they may be denied reentry or experience significant delays because of the travel restrictions. Furthermore, waivers are limited and discretionary. We recommend avoiding international travel unless absolutely necessary and consulting your employer or immigration lawyer before any international travel.

Q16. I hold dual citizenship, with one of my nationalities being from a country subject to the travel ban. Will I still be permitted to enter the United States?

As long as they are traveling on a passport issued by a non-designated country, the Proclamation does not restrict the U.S. admission of dual nationals. For example, if you possess passports from the United Kingdom and Chad, you are still able to apply for a visa to travel to the United States, if you utilize your U.K. passport for that process. 

Q17. I am a national of one of the countries subject to the travel ban, but I have a valid visa. Will I be able to re-enter the United States once the ban goes into effect?

While you should be able to re-enter the U.S. as long as your visa remains valid and was issued before June 9, 2025, it is possible your entry could be denied or delayed.

The Proclamation only applies to individuals who are:

• Outside the United States, and
• Do not have a valid visa or other lawful travel document as of June 9, 2025

If you already have a valid visa, the travel ban does not prevent you from using it to return to the United States. However, a few important caveats:

• Airlines and CBP officers still have discretionary authority to assess admissibility at boarding and arrival. Be prepared to explain your travel purpose and present documentation of your lawful status.
• If your document is set to expire soon, you should consult with an immigration lawyer before traveling to avoid issues.

Q18. What happens if I am outside the United States when the ban takes effect, and I do not have a valid visa?

Contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Klasko to have a conversation about your specific circumstances.

Q19. I am a national of one of the countries subject to the travel ban and I am currently in the United States on a nonimmigrant status. Will my nonimmigrant status be revoked due to the travel ban?

No. Your current nonimmigrant status will not be revoked solely because of the travel ban.

The Proclamation:

• Only applies to individuals who are outside the U.S. as of June 9, 2025, and
• Do not have a valid visa at that time.

If you are lawfully present in the U.S. on a valid visa (e.g., F-1, H-1B, B-2, etc.), the Proclamation does not cancel or revoke your existing status. However, be aware of a few key points:

• If you leave the U.S., you may not be allowed to re-enter, even if you previously held a visa, unless you qualify for an exemption or waiver.
• Future visa renewals or change of status applications may be impacted depending on your nationality and the category of visa.
• The Department of State has also instructed consular officers to limit visa validity for nationals of the seven countries mentioned above (FAQ 3), where permitted by law.

Impact on Green Card Holders, Visa Applications & Consular Processing

Q20. Does the travel ban impact Green Card holders who are nationals of one of the countries impacted by the travel ban?

No. If you are a U.S. lawful permanent resident (LPR)—also known as a Green Card holder—you are not subject to the travel ban, even if you are a national of one of the affected countries.  However, if a green card holder has been outside the U.S. for more than 6 months and does not have a reentry permit or returning resident visa, they may be asked to relinquish their green card status or risk being placed into removal proceedings for an immigration judge to decide whether to revoke their green card status.

Q21. What happens if I have an approved immigrant visa but have not yet entered the United States?

If you have an approved immigrant visa but have not yet entered the U.S., your ability to travel will depend on your visa category and whether you are from a country subject to the travel ban. 

Family-Based Immediate Relative Visas Are Exempt

If your immigrant visa is in one of the following immediate family categories, you are exempt from the travel ban and may still enter the United States, even if you are a national of a restricted country:

• IR-1 / CR-1: Spouse of a U.S. citizen
• IR-2 / CR-2: Unmarried child (under 21) of a U.S. citizen
• IR-5: Parent of a U.S. citizen (if the U.S. citizen is over 21)

As long as your visa is valid, you should be permitted to enter; however, there are no guarantees, and you should be prepared if denied entry.

Employment-Based and Other Immigrant Visas Are Not Exempt

If your visa is employment-based (e.g., EB-1, EB-2, EB-3) or in a non-exempt family category (e.g., F2A, F3, etc.), and you are from one of the countries subject to the travel ban, you will not be allowed to enter the United States unless:

• You qualify for a National Interest Exemption (NIE), or
• You are eligible for another case-by-case waiver (e.g., law enforcement need, urgent humanitarian circumstance)

***Important Reminder: Even with an immigrant visa, you do not become a lawful permanent resident until you physically enter the U.S. and are admitted by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer. Until that happens, your entry can still be denied if the ban applies to your category and nationality.***

Airport and Travel Precaution

Q22. What should I do if I am stopped at the airport or another port of entry, upon entering the United States? 

• Stay calm and cooperative
  • Being referred for secondary inspection does not automatically mean you will be denied entry.
  • Ensure your answers are truthful, concise, and respectful.
• Confirm the reason for the stop
  • You have the right to ask (politely):
     “Can you please tell me why I am being referred for secondary inspection?”
• Be ready to present documentation
  • Have your passport, visa, travel itinerary, and proof of U.S. ties (e.g., return ticket, work authorization, invitation letter, etc.) easily accessible.
  • If you are a green card holder, have your valid green card and reentry documentation (if applicable) with you.
• Know your rights
  • If you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, you cannot be denied entry.
  • If you are a visa holder or nonimmigrant entrant, CBP can refuse entry, but you also have the right to request a supervisor if things escalate.
• Avoid signing anything under pressure
  • Government officials should not pressure you to sign any documents or forms. If you are asked to sign any form (like Form I-407 Abandonment of US Permanent Resident status).
  • You can ask:
    • “Am I being ordered removed?”
    • “Can I speak with a lawyer before signing?”
      • Non-citizens at the border generally do not have the right to legal counsel during inspection but asking signals that you are aware of your rights.
      • CBP officers may ask you to sign a “withdrawal of application for admission (Form I-275).” This means that they are offering you the option to withdraw your request to enter the US instead of being formally denied admission or placed into removal proceedings.   Signing this form could avoid removal proceedings and a re-entry ban, but you will likely be required to depart immediately, your visa may be cancelled, and signing can be seen as consenting to reasons for inadmissibility.
  • It is crucial to:
    • read any form carefully;
    • ask for a translation if you do not understand the language; and
    • understand the implications of such a document and, if possible, seek legal counsel before signing.
  • Do not to sign a document if it asks you to give up any rights that you wish to exercise. 

Q23. Can I transit through the United States if I am a national of a banned country?

Probably not. The travel ban suspends entry into the U.S., and “entry” includes airport transits. Per U.S. law and CBP policy:

• There is no international transit zone in U.S. airports.
• Any non-citizen who lands in the U.S. is considered to have “arrived” and must undergo inspection and formal admission by Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

So even for connecting flights, you must have authorization to enter the U.S., and the travel ban blocks entry for nationals of listed countries (unless exempt or waived).

Best Practices & Next Steps

Q24. If I am legally in the United States but my visa is expired, what should I do?

You do not need to take any immediate action. A visa is only required for entry into the United States, not for remaining here. If you are maintaining valid immigration status (e.g., H-1B, F-1, etc.), you are lawfully present even if your passport visa stamp has expired. However, do not travel internationally, including to Canada or Mexico, without first speaking to your employer or an immigration lawyer.

Q25. Where can I find the latest updates on the travel ban?

Visit Klasko’s website for up-to-date information regarding the ongoing travel ban. We will also be sending frequent client alerts as developments occur.

This FAQ is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please schedule a consultation with a Klasko immigration attorney.

The material contained in this alert does not constitute direct legal advice and is for informational purposes only. An attorney-client relationship is not presumed or intended by receipt or review of this presentation. The information provided should never replace informed counsel when specific immigration-related guidance is needed.

© 2025 Klasko Immigration Law Partners, LLP. All rights reserved. Information may not be reproduced, displayed, modified, or distributed without the express prior written permission of Klasko Immigration Law Partners, LLP. For permission, contact info@klaskolaw.com.