{"id":14002,"date":"2025-12-05T10:21:54","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T10:21:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog?p=14002"},"modified":"2025-12-19T09:39:29","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T09:39:29","slug":"trump-19-country-ban-diversity-visa-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/trump-19-country-ban-diversity-visa-program","title":{"rendered":"Trump 19 country immigration ban and what it means for Diversity Visa applicants"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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IMPORTANT UPDATE 16th DECEMBER 2025<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n


Since this article was published, the U.S. government has expanded the travel restrictions<\/strong>, increasing the number of affected countries from 19 to 39<\/strong>, with the changes scheduled to take effect in January 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The updated policy introduces full travel bans<\/strong> and partial visa restrictions<\/strong>, depending on the country concerned.

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Countries subject to a full travel ban<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n


Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Myanmar, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen

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Countries subject to partial visa restrictions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n


Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cuba, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe

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Important clarifications<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n


\u2022 Lawful permanent residents remain exempt

\u2022 Existing valid visas are generally not revoked

\u2022 Dual nationals may travel using a passport from a non-restricted country

\u2022 Eligibility for the Diversity Visa Program is determined by country of birth, not citizenship, and the Diversity Visa Program qualifying country list<\/a> is not affected by the travel restrictions<\/strong>, meaning eligible applicants may still apply for the Diversity Visa Program.
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An official announcement confirming the expansion of the travel restrictions has been published by the Official White House Website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n


Disclaimer:<\/strong> The U.S. government has confirmed the expansion of travel restrictions to 39 countries through official announcements; however the complete country list is based on consolidated information from government statements and authoritative legal analysis, pending publication of the full Presidential Proclamation in the Federal Register.

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The full article below remains relevant and provides background, context, and explanation of how these travel restrictions may affect immigration and Diversity Visa processing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Trump administration has announced a new immigration ban that affects 19 countries<\/a>. The official explanation is that this is needed to protect the United States from terrorism, crime and visa overstays. At the US Green Card Office we fully support strong and careful security checks on every person who wants to enter the United States. However, we are strongly against blanket bans that punish entire countries and whole populations because of the actions of a minority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


We believe in a safe America, but also in a fair America that welcomes diversity. In this article we explain why these 19 countries were put on the list, why we think this approach is wrong, what legal or political changes might be possible, and why people from these countries should still consider applying for the Diversity Visa Program through our professional service.


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Table of Contents<\/b><\/h2>\n