Trump signs travel ban on citizens from 12 countries, ACTA shares guidance

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday (June 5) announced that citizens of 12 countries would be banned from visiting the United States and those from seven others would face restrictions.

The ban, which goes into effect on Monday (June 9), bars travel to the U.S. by citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

The President also imposed restrictions, but stopped short of a full ban, on travel from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. People from those nation cannot come to the U.S. permanently or get tourist or student visas.

The decision revives a policy from former Trump’s first presidential term that sparked confusion at airports and triggered numerous legal battles.

It marks the latest step in his broad effort to tighten immigration, following actions such as shutting down asylum at the southern border, prohibiting international students from attending Harvard University, and initiating nationwide immigration raids.

“We don’t want them”

The move came days after an Egyptian man in Colorado was arrested and charged with carrying out an attack on a group honouring hostages being held in Gaza.

Trump administration officials had warned that there would be a crackdown after that attack.

“The recent terror attack in Boulder, Colo., has underscored the extreme dangers posed to our country by the entry of foreign nationals who are not properly vetted, as well as those who come here as temporary visitors and overstay their visas,” Trump said in a video message announcing the travel ban. “We don’t want them.”

Egypt, notably, was not on Trump’s list of banned countries.

ACTA issues special bulletin

ACTA issued a special bulletin on Thursday, outlining the executive order and how it may impact travel advisors.

The full suspension impacts 12 countries: Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen,

It’s a complete ban on all visa types – both immigrant and non-immigrant.

The partial suspension of seven countries hits Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. In this case, all immigrant visas banned.

Specific non-immigrant visas banned: B-1/B-2 (tourism/business), F (academic students), M (vocational students), J (exchange visitors)

Other visa types allowed but with reduced validity periods

For travel advisors, clients must be inside the U.S. before the June 9 deadline to avoid restrictions.

ACTA says that existing valid visas issued before June 9 will not be revoked. Also, anyone outside the U.S. without a valid visa on June 9 will be subject to the ban.

Dual nationals

Dual nationals are exempt if traveling on a passport from a non-banned country.

Examples:

· Iranian-Canadian travelling on Canadian passport: ALLOWED

· Iranian-Canadian travelling on Iranian passport: PROHIBITED

· Haitian-Canadian travelling on Canadian passport: ALLOWED

· Cuban-Canadian travelling on Canadian passport: ALLOWED

The passport used for travel determines eligibility, not the person's nationalities.

The ban does not apply to:

· U.S. lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders)

· People already inside the U.S.

· Holders of valid visas issued before June 9, 2025

· Diplomatic visa holders (A-1, A-2, G visas, NATO visas)

· Athletes/teams traveling for major sporting events

· Certain family-based immigrant visas

Transit passengers

The ban applies even to transit through U.S. airports. Affected nationals cannot transit through the US to reach other destinations.

Cruise passengers

Cruises with U.S. ports will be impacted, says ACTA. Affected nationals may be denied boarding even if the cruise doesn't originate in the U.S.

Pre-existing bookings

ACTA says to review force majeure clauses and travel insurance policies as the ban may qualify as a covered reason for cancellation.