Important Updates
Important Updates
June 5, 2025 | AustraliaFragomen Ranked in 2026 Edition of "Best Law Firms in Australia" by The Best Lawyers
June 5, 2025 | United StatesBusiness Standard: Could Social Media Silence Cost You a US Student Visa? Experts Weigh In
June 5, 2025 | CanadaCanada: Proposed Law Seeks to Expand Citizenship by Descent Eligibility
June 5, 2025 | ChadChad: Visa Issuance Suspended for U.S. Nationals
June 5, 2025 | IrelandFragomen Grows Irish Operations with New Cork Office
June 5, 2025 | AustraliaFragomen Ranked in 2026 Edition of "Best Law Firms in Australia" by The Best Lawyers
June 5, 2025 | United StatesBusiness Standard: Could Social Media Silence Cost You a US Student Visa? Experts Weigh In
June 5, 2025 | CanadaCanada: Proposed Law Seeks to Expand Citizenship by Descent Eligibility
June 5, 2025 | ChadChad: Visa Issuance Suspended for U.S. Nationals
June 5, 2025 | IrelandFragomen Grows Irish Operations with New Cork Office
June 5, 2025 | AustraliaFragomen Ranked in 2026 Edition of "Best Law Firms in Australia" by The Best Lawyers
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcastsVideos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapFragomen Consulting EuropeAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Fragomen Consulting Europe
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

President Biden Revokes Travel Bans Affecting Primarily Muslim-Majority and African Countries

January 21, 2021

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

At a Glance

  • President Joseph R. Biden has issued a presidential proclamation that lifts two nationality-based travel bans issued by the Trump administration.
  • Nationals of Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen will no longer be subject to the restrictions on nonimmigrant and/or immigrant visa issuance imposed by a 2017 Trump administration travel ban.
  • Nationals of Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar (Burma), Nigeria, Sudan, and Tanzania will no longer be subject to the immigrant visa restrictions under a January 2020 Trump Administration presidential proclamation. 
  • The State Department is charged with creating a plan for immigrant visas denied under the ban to be reconsidered, and to ensure that no visa applicants are prejudiced by prior denials under the bans if they re-apply for a visa.

The issue

Late Wednesday, President Joseph R. Biden issued a presidential proclamation that revokes two Trump Administration nationality-based travel bans targeting primarily Muslim-majority and African countries.  Under the order, the Secretary of State must direct U.S. embassies and consulates to resume processing visa applications previously subject to the bans in a manner consistent with current consular operating status and COVID-19 precautions.

As a result of the proclamation, nationals of Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen will no longer be subject to restrictions on nonimmigrant and/or immigrant visa issuance imposed by a 2017 Trump administration travel ban, that was revised multiple times amid legal challenges, and ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court in June 2018.

Nationals of Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar (Burma), Nigeria, Sudan, and Tanzania will no longer be subject to immigrant visa restrictions under a January 2020 Trump proclamation.  This ban affected nationals seeking to enter the United States for permanent residence only.

Both bans authorized certain exemptions and waivers, but in practice, waivers were challenging to obtain and could be delayed for lengthy periods of time. 

Lifting of visa issuance and travel restrictions

Specifically, nationals of the following countries under the 2017 ban will no longer be subject to these limitations:

  • Iran: Restrictions lifted on nonimmigrant visas (F/M student visas and J exchange visitor visas were always exempt), and on immigrant visas, including the diversity lottery.
  • Libya: Restrictions lifted on B-1, B-2 or B-1/B-2 visitor visas and on immigrant visas, including diversity lottery visas.
  • North Korea: Restrictions lifted on all nonimmigrant and immigrant visas.
  • Somalia: Restrictions lifted on immigrant visas, including diversity visas.
  • Syria: Restrictions lifted on all nonimmigrant and immigrant visas.
  • Venezuela: Restrictions lifted under this ban on B-1, B-2 or B-1/B-2 visas for officials of designated Venezuelan government agencies. However, a separate proclamation affecting certain Venezuelan nationals associated with the Maduro government remains in effect.
  • Yemen: Restrictions lifted on B-1, B-2 or B-1/B-2 visitor visas and immigrant visas, including diversity lottery visas.

 

Nationals of the following previously restricted countries under the January 2020 immigrant visa ban will no longer be subject to the following immigrant visa issuance limitations:

  • Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar (Burma), and Nigeria: Restrictions lifted on all immigrant visas under the proclamation; and
  • Sudan and Tanzania: Restrictions lifted on diversity lottery immigrant visas.​

State Department report required under the proclamation

The presidential proclamation also requires the Secretary of State to provide President Biden with a report within 45 days that contains the following:

  • The number of visa applicants currently being considered for waivers under the revoked bans and a plan for expeditiously adjudicating their visa applications;
  • A proposal to ensure that individuals whose immigrant visa applications were denied under either ban may have their applications reconsidered; and
  • A plan to ensure that visa applicants are not prejudiced by a previous denial under either ban if they choose to re-apply for a visa.

Information-sharing and vetting review under the proclamation

Further, within 120 days, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, must provide to President Biden a report containing the following:

  • Description of the current screening and vetting procedures for those seeking nonimmigrant and immigrant entry to the United States, including those implemented in connection with the revoked travel bans;
  • Review of foreign government information-sharing practices with respect to the United States in order to evaluate the efficacy of those practices;
  • Recommendations to improve screening and vetting activities, including diplomatic efforts; and
  • A review and recommendations regarding the current use of social media identifiers in screening and vetting processes, including whether their use yields meaningful improvements.

What this means for nationals of affected countries

Foreign nationals affected by the rescinded bans will no longer be subject to their restrictions.  As a reminder, several other directives impacting visa issuance and travel remain in place, including those that are nationality-based (e.g., bans affecting certain Chinese students and certain Venezuelan nationals) and visa classification-based, as well as existing COVID-19 public health bans and travel restrictions. Further, all foreign nationals are subject to national security screening and vetting when applying for a U.S. visa or admission to the United States, which could delay visa issuance notwithstanding the revocation of the two Trump-era bans.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Business Standard: Could Social Media Silence Cost You a US Student Visa? Experts Weigh In

Partner Daniel Pierce notes that limited social media activity or private accounts could lead to greater scrutiny for international students applying for US visas.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Grows Irish Operations with New Cork Office

Fragomen announces the opening of a new office in Cork, expanding its presence in Ireland to better support clients across the country's southern and western regions.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Ranked in 2026 Edition of "Best Law Firms in Australia" by The Best Lawyers

Fragomen is ranked both nationally and locally in "Best Law Firms in Australia" by The Best Lawyers.

Learn more

Awards

Global Mobility Lawyer Recognises Fragomen's Wout van Doren and Tanya Loughran as Tomorrow's Leaders

Global Mobility Lawyer recognises Senior Immigration Manager Wout van Doren and Manager Tanya Loughran as Tomorrow's Leaders.

Learn more

Media mentions

Khaleej Times: 30,000 jobs, AI growth: What Disneyland Abu Dhabi means for the UAE

Partner Shayan Sultan discusses how Disneyland Abu Dhabi could impact hiring, Emiratisation and immigration planning in the UAE.

Learn more

Media mentions

Space-Comm: The Rapid Expansion of the Space Sector, Expected to Reach a Value of $1.8 Trillion by 2035, Marks the Beginning of a New Era in Space Exploration and Innovation

Partner Charlotte Wills and Director Kelly Hardman co-hosted the Space Law Legal Symposium with DLA Piper, highlighting immigration’s role in space sector growth.

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg: Harvard Dragged Deeper Into Trump's 'America First' Visa Fight

Partner Daniel Pierce highlighted the challenges US universities face under new visa restrictions.

Learn more

Blog post

Unlocking Talent: Why Hiring Graduates on Immigration Permissions Is a Strategic Business Move

Senior Immigration Programme Consultant Salem Barakat shares how hiring graduates on immigration permissions is a strategic business move that unlocks talent and drives innovation.

Learn more

Blog post

A1 Certificate Fraud: Key Takeaways from the 2025 ECJ Decision

Director Wim Cocquyt and Senior Immigration Consultant Marina Ocariz discuss key takeaways from the 2025 ECJ decision on A1 certificate fraud.

Learn more

Media mentions

Dubai Eye: Managing Partner, Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan discusses the UAE’s AI Workforce and Talent Mobility

Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan discusses the UAE’s AI talent shortage and how immigration policies are helping attract talent to the region.

Learn more

Blog post

La Naturalisation française par Décret : Des règles strictes et une exigence accrue de conformité

Senior Immigration Manager Géraldine Renaudière discusses France's tightening of the naturalization-by-decree process by enforcing stricter language, legal and financial requirements.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Irish Times: ‘Without People to Build Homes, It Won’t Happen’: Construction Workers Decry Shortage of Tradespeople

Partner Ángel Bello Cortés highlights Ireland’s respected work permit system and suggests a sector-specific permit to attract more non-EEA construction workers.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Standard: Could Social Media Silence Cost You a US Student Visa? Experts Weigh In

Partner Daniel Pierce notes that limited social media activity or private accounts could lead to greater scrutiny for international students applying for US visas.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Grows Irish Operations with New Cork Office

Fragomen announces the opening of a new office in Cork, expanding its presence in Ireland to better support clients across the country's southern and western regions.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Ranked in 2026 Edition of "Best Law Firms in Australia" by The Best Lawyers

Fragomen is ranked both nationally and locally in "Best Law Firms in Australia" by The Best Lawyers.

Learn more

Awards

Global Mobility Lawyer Recognises Fragomen's Wout van Doren and Tanya Loughran as Tomorrow's Leaders

Global Mobility Lawyer recognises Senior Immigration Manager Wout van Doren and Manager Tanya Loughran as Tomorrow's Leaders.

Learn more

Media mentions

Khaleej Times: 30,000 jobs, AI growth: What Disneyland Abu Dhabi means for the UAE

Partner Shayan Sultan discusses how Disneyland Abu Dhabi could impact hiring, Emiratisation and immigration planning in the UAE.

Learn more

Media mentions

Space-Comm: The Rapid Expansion of the Space Sector, Expected to Reach a Value of $1.8 Trillion by 2035, Marks the Beginning of a New Era in Space Exploration and Innovation

Partner Charlotte Wills and Director Kelly Hardman co-hosted the Space Law Legal Symposium with DLA Piper, highlighting immigration’s role in space sector growth.

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg: Harvard Dragged Deeper Into Trump's 'America First' Visa Fight

Partner Daniel Pierce highlighted the challenges US universities face under new visa restrictions.

Learn more

Blog post

Unlocking Talent: Why Hiring Graduates on Immigration Permissions Is a Strategic Business Move

Senior Immigration Programme Consultant Salem Barakat shares how hiring graduates on immigration permissions is a strategic business move that unlocks talent and drives innovation.

Learn more

Blog post

A1 Certificate Fraud: Key Takeaways from the 2025 ECJ Decision

Director Wim Cocquyt and Senior Immigration Consultant Marina Ocariz discuss key takeaways from the 2025 ECJ decision on A1 certificate fraud.

Learn more

Media mentions

Dubai Eye: Managing Partner, Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan discusses the UAE’s AI Workforce and Talent Mobility

Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan discusses the UAE’s AI talent shortage and how immigration policies are helping attract talent to the region.

Learn more

Blog post

La Naturalisation française par Décret : Des règles strictes et une exigence accrue de conformité

Senior Immigration Manager Géraldine Renaudière discusses France's tightening of the naturalization-by-decree process by enforcing stricter language, legal and financial requirements.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Irish Times: ‘Without People to Build Homes, It Won’t Happen’: Construction Workers Decry Shortage of Tradespeople

Partner Ángel Bello Cortés highlights Ireland’s respected work permit system and suggests a sector-specific permit to attract more non-EEA construction workers.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.