Your Complete Guide to the June 2025 Trump Travel Ban: What You Need To Know

On June 4, 2025, the Trump Administration issued a sweeping proclamation that blocks or limits entry into the U.S. for nationals from multiple countries. The June 2025 travel ban affects both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants, and may disrupt family reunification, study plans, job offers, or humanitarian relief.

This article is written to help affected individuals understand the travel ban’s scope, exceptions, and legal implications. Whether you're from one of the banned countries or have loved ones impacted by the policy, being informed is your first step toward preparing and protecting your legal status.

👉 Official link to proclamation: Click here

🛑 Countries Affected by the Ban
Completely Banned from Entry (All Visa Categories)
Nationals from the following 12 countries are banned from both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa entries:

• Afghanistan
• Burma
• Chad
• Republic of the Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Haiti
• Iran
• Libya
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Yemen​

This ban applies even to close family members, students, or skilled professionals from these countries, unless they meet a narrow exception.

Countries Partially Banned – Temporary Visas Only
The following 7 countries are restricted primarily for short-term or educational travel:

• Burundi
• Cuba
• Laos
• Sierra Leone
• Togo
• Turkmenistan
• Venezuela​

For these countries, visa categories like B-1/B-2 (tourist and business), F (student), M (vocational), and J (exchange) are now subject to limitations. Additionally, consular officers may reduce the duration and validity of these visas.

🧠 Why These Countries Were Chosen
The U.S. government stated that countries were selected based on:

• Their ability to screen and vet travelers
• Information-sharing with U.S. agencies
• Terrorist activity or groups operating in the country
• High visa overstay rates
• Lack of cooperation with repatriating deported nationals​

These factors were used to justify which countries received full versus partial bans.

📅 When Does the Ban Take Effect?
Effective Date: June 9, 2025 at 12:01am Eastern Time
The ban applies to individuals who:

• Are outside the United States on that date, and
• Do not already have a valid visa​

Anyone abroad who hoped to apply for a visa after June 9 may now face denial, unless a rare exception applies.

✅ Who Is Not Affected by the Ban?
There are several categorical exceptions, which allow certain individuals to travel despite the ban:

• Lawful Permanent Residents (green card holders)
• Dual nationals traveling on a passport from a non-banned country
• Those with valid visas issued before June 9, 2025
• Afghan SIV holders, applicants, and their derivative family members
• Ethnic and religious minorities in Iran applying for immigrant visas
• Immediate relatives (IR-1, CR-1, IR-2, CR-2, IR-5) with strong evidence of family ties (e.g., DNA)
• Athletes and sports teams traveling for the Olympics, World Cup, or similar major events
• Adopted children entering under IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, or IH-4 visas
• Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) recipients working with the U.S. government
• Travelers holding diplomatic and international organization visas (A, G, NATO, etc.)

The ban also does NOT apply to:

• People applying for asylum, withholding of removal, or CAT protection
• Refugees, including those joining family members already admitted
• Individuals following-to-join asylees via the I-730 process
• Parolees and people with refugee travel documents

⚖️ Are There Discretionary Exceptions?
Yes—but these are rare and difficult to obtain:

• The U.S. Attorney General may authorize someone’s entry if it supports a Department of Justice interest (e.g., testifying in a trial).
• The Secretary of State can allow travel if it serves a U.S. national interest.

⚠️ Unlike the 2017 “Muslim Ban,” this new version does not offer hardship waivers. There is no formal application for an exception—you cannot request one yourself.

💡 Can You Still Apply for a Visa or Petition?
Yes, in many cases you can still start or continue immigration processes. Here’s what that means for different paths:

• Family-based petitions (like I-130s): You can file and get an approval from USCIS. However, a family member may still be denied a visa at the consulate due to the ban, unless they qualify for one of the specific exceptions.
• Immigrant visa (green card) applications: Immigrant visa interviews may still be scheduled, but visa issuance is likely to be refused based on the travel ban unless an exemption applies.
• Nonimmigrant visa applications (tourist, student, exchange): These are the most restricted. People from affected countries applying for B, F, M, or J visas are likely to be denied outright.
• Adjustment of Status (green card applications inside the U.S.): If you're already in the U.S. and meet all other eligibility requirements, you can still apply to adjust your status. The ban does not apply to this process.
• Asylum applications: You are allowed to apply for asylum if you're inside the U.S. or at a border crossing. However, separate policies (not part of this ban) could affect how asylum is handled at the border.

✅ Quick Checklist: Are You Likely Affected?Here’s a simplified way to know whether the ban applies to you:

1. Are you from a banned country and applying for a visa from outside the U.S.?
2. Do you already have a valid visa issued before June 9, 2025?
3. Are you a dual national with another passport from a non-banned country?
4. Were you physically present in the U.S. on June 9, 2025?
5. Do you qualify under any of the listed exceptions?

If you answered yes to #2, #3, or #4, the ban likely does not apply to you. If not, the visa may be refused unless an exception is granted.

🧾 Important Note: Harvard Student Visa Ban
A separate but related proclamation was issued specifically targeting international students attending Harvard University:

• Students who plan to begin studies at Harvard after June 4, 2025 may be barred from entry.
• Officials may also revoke visas for current F, J, or M visa holders enrolled at Harvard.
• This does not affect students attending other universities.

If you are planning to attend Harvard, consult an attorney immediately.

🛂 If You’re Already in the U.S.: What You Should Know
If you are physically present in the U.S. with valid immigration status (visa or green card), this ban does not affect your current status or visa. Your visa remains valid and should not be revoked under this policy.

However, if you have family abroad in a banned country, this policy may prevent them from joining you—even if a petition is already approved.

Additionally, travel outside the U.S. carries risk. Re-entry might be complicated due to evolving enforcement trends. It’s strongly recommended to speak with an immigration attorney before leaving the country, even if you are a green card holder.

🔍 Will the Ban Revoke Issued Visas?
No, the June 2025 travel ban does not revoke valid visas. But keep in mind:

• The Trump Administration has previously revoked visas at large scale using other policy tools.
• Although not part of this ban, separate policies may be used to cancel certain categories of visas in the future.

Also, U.S. embassies may begin canceling or blocking visa interviews for nationals of banned countries even if the proclamation does not explicitly require that. Be aware that delays or rejections could happen in practice.

⏳ How Long Will the Ban Last?
There is no guaranteed end date. The policy includes:

• A review within 90 days
• Ongoing reviews every 180 days
• Negotiations with listed countries to discuss conditions for removal

Historically, travel bans like this one have lasted years and gone through multiple updates. This could happen again.

🔄 Could More Countries Be Added?
Yes. Countries can be added or removed at any time. The original list of affected nations changed multiple times during the first Trump Administration.

Egypt, for example, was specifically named in the proclamation as under review, and could be added to the ban in the near future. South Sudan has already been targeted under a separate visa restriction policy.

🤝 What You Can Do Right Now
If you're affected—or could be—take action early:

• Talk to an immigration attorney before traveling or applying for anything new
• File your petitions early, especially if you’re from a country not yet banned
• Avoid international travel unless absolutely necessary
• Collect documentation to prove relationships or eligibility for an exemption
• Monitor updates—we’ll share them on the ImmigraTrust blog

💼 At ImmigraTrust Law, we help families and individuals navigate complex immigration policies with compassion and clarity. If you or a loved one are impacted by the 2025 travel ban, schedule a free case evaluation with Najmeh Mahmoudjafari, Esq., and let us guide you through your best legal options.

​Najmeh Mahmoudjafari, Esq.
Najmeh is the Founder and Lead Immigration Attorney at ImmigraTrust Law, an immigration law practice in Orange County, California, representing individual and corporate clients in all 50 U.S. States and internationally. Najmeh can be reached at [email protected].

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DISCLAIMER: This article is for general information purposes only. It is not intended and does not constitute legal advice. This article does not create an attorney/client relationship and does not provide an attorney/client privilege. For legal advice about your specific case, please contact an attorney.