5 minute read | Last update: December 5, 2025
KEY UPDATE: December 2, 2025 – Immigration Processing Paused
Following a security incident involving the National Guard in late November 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued an immediate pause on all immigration applications for nationals of the 19 countries currently under the travel ban.
Unlike the June 2025 "Entry Ban," which focused on travelers arriving at the border, this new directive freezes administrative processing for individuals already inside the United States.
What U.S. Immigration Procedures & Applications Are Frozen?
The following are the administrative immigration procedures and applications that are paused:
- Green card applications (I-485): Decisions are halted.
- Citizenship/naturalization (N-400): Oath ceremonies and interviews are being canceled.
- Asylum cases: All decisions paused indefinitely.
Retroactive Review: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a “comprehensive re-review” of benefits granted to nationals of these countries who entered the U.S. after January 20, 2021.
What is the processing freeze?
As of December 2, 2025, USCIS has frozen all Green Card (I-485), Asylum, and Naturalization (N-400) processing for nationals of 19 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, and Haiti. This freeze applies to applicants already inside the U.S., regardless of their current legal status.
Which Countries Are Affected?
As of December 5, 2025, the administration has indicated this list may expand to over 30 countries soon. Currently processing is frozen for:
Full processing freeze
- Afghanistan
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
Restricted Access & freeze
Citizens of these 7 countries face restricted access to most visa types (immigrant, tourist, student, exchange) & freeze, though certain categories may still be permitted:
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela.
Note: Even if you have a valid visa in your passport, new guidance suggests that you may face heightened scrutiny or admission delays at ports of entry.
Exemptions & clarifications
It is vital to distinguish between the Entry Ban (entry into the U.S.) and the Processing Freeze (processing of paperwork):
- Travel (Entry): U.S. permanent residents (Green Card holders) and dual nationals traveling on a passport from a non-banned country are generally exempt from entry restrictions.
- Processing (Paperwork): No exemptions. Green Card holders from the 19 affected nations are currently subject to the freeze for Naturalization (Citizenship) and other benefits. Being a permanent resident does not protect your application from this administrative pause.
In other words, U.S. permanent residents are exempt from entry restrictions to the United States but are now subject to the processing freeze for Citizenship (N-400) and Family Petitions ( I-130).
Country-by-Country Analysis
Here you can find detailed information for each country.
Full processing freeze countries:
- Afghanistan: Longstanding instability and ongoing conflict have led the U.S. to deem vetting from here too risky, reinforcing security concerns.
- Myanmar: Political turmoil and human rights violations have undermined the reliability of immigration checks.
- Chad: Included due to soaring visa overstay rates, Chad retaliated by suspending visa issuance to the U.S.
- Republic of the Congo: Insufficient documentation standards and identity verification gaps are cited as major vulnerabilities.
- Equatorial Guinea: Similar vetting and documentation challenges have placed this small nation under the full ban.
- Eritrea: Persistent concerns over unclear travel documents and records accuracy triggered its inclusion.
- Haiti: Ongoing instability and documentation fragility contribute to travel risk assessments.
- Iran: A revival of past policies, Iran’s restrictions reflect longstanding national security concerns.
- Libya: Continued conflict and fragmented governance structures make visa issuance unpredictable.
- Somalia: Turmoil and terror threats from militant groups prompted its long-standing classification as restricted.
- Sudan: Political upheaval and weak documentation systems justify its place on the banned list.
- Yemen: A war-torn country with U.S. military operations and Houthi terrorist activity, Yemen's entry is fully blocked.
Partial restricted access & freeze countries:
- Burundi: High visa overstay rates are the main driver behind restrictions.
- Cuba: Designated as a “state sponsor of terrorism” in the proclamation, heightening its partial ban status.
- Laos: Poor documentation procedures and overstay statistics are key factors.
- Sierra Leone: Similar to Burundi and Laos, Sierra Leone’s overstay and vetting failures spurred curtailment.
- Togo: Weak record-keeping and high non-compliance have led to travel limitations.
- Turkmenistan: Elevated overstay rates place it under partial visa caps.
- Venezuela: Accused of refusing deportees and lacking a robust passport authority, Venezuela’s status reflects governance challenges.
The January 2021 lookback rule
A unique and critical component of the December 2025 directive is the retroactive review. USCIS is re-examining files for individuals from the 19 affected nations who received immigration benefits on or after January 20, 2021.
If you fall into this category, ensure your documentation is perfectly in order. Our experts at US Visa Wizard recommend carrying proof of your status at all times, as this policy signals an intent to revoke benefits if any discrepancies are found in past applications.
Will More Countries Be Added to the Ban?
The administration is reportedly considering adding 36 more countries to the ban unless they meet U.S. security and identity verification criteria within a 60-day window.
The potential additions span Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands, including several nations that currently face visa issuance delays or have high rates of overstays and incomplete documentation.
Watchlist: The 36 countries risking future bans
While not yet official, leaked internal State Department cables reported by Reuters and others in June 2025 indicate 36 additional nations are under review. These countries reportedly have 60 days to improve information-sharing or face sanctions.
Potential additions include:
- Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote D'Ivoire, DR Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Sudan, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
- Asia/Eurasia: Bhutan, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Syria.
- Caribbean/Oceania: Dominica, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.
If you are from one of these nations, our legal experts recommend submitting pending applications immediately before any official expansion of the list.
What This Means for Travelers
Valid visas allow travel to the border, but do not guarantee admission. Furthermore, having a valid visa does not exempt you from the freeze on new benefit applications (such as extending your stay).
It’s important to know that even travelers with approved visas may face additional scrutiny at the border, and even refused entry.
Exemptions exist for certain groups, but these are limited and must be verified before travel.
Legal professionals should also anticipate a surge in demand for services such as waiver applications, appeals, and travel document diagnostics.
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