On December 16, 2025, President Trump announced a significant expansion of his travel ban through Proclamation 10998. This new proclamation amends Proclamation 10949, which was issued in June 2025 and originally restricted travel from 19 countries.
With the latest update, the U.S. travel ban now applies to 39 countries in total and introduces new limitations that directly affect many foreign nationals, including international nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals seeking to live and work in the United States.
For hospitals, long-term care facilities, and healthcare staffing agencies already struggling with nurse shortages, understanding this policy is critical. At VisaMadeEZ, an immigration law firm focused on helping healthcare organizations hire international nurses, we’re closely tracking these changes so you can plan ahead and protect your staffing pipeline.
The new restrictions take effect on January 1, 2026.
Which Countries Are Affected by the Expanded Travel Ban?
Under the December 2025 proclamation, individuals born in the countries listed below may face new barriers in obtaining new U.S. visas, including many of the visas commonly used by international nurses and their families.
The ban is divided into two main categories:
1. A full travel ban on both temporary visas and immigrant visas
2. A partial travel ban targeting certain temporary visa categories and immigrant visas
1. Full Travel Ban: Temporary Visas and Immigrant Visas (Green Cards)
Nationals born in the following countries are generally barred from obtaining both temporary visas and immigrant visas, including many employment-based visas and family-based immigrant visas:
- Afghanistan
- Burma
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
- Burkina Faso
- Mali
- Niger
- South Sudan
- Syria
- Nationals holding travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
For healthcare workers born in these countries, this means that new employment-based immigrant visas (such as EB‑3 for nurses) and most temporary visas will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to obtain under the current policy, unless a specific exemption applies.
2. Partial Travel Ban: B, F, M, and J Visas and Immigrant Visas
The second group of countries is subject to partial restrictions. The proclamation targets:
- B visas (visitor visas for business/tourism)
- F and M visas (academic and vocational students)
- J visas (exchange visitors, which can include some trainees and medical professionals)
- Immigrant visas (Green Cards), with some nuances
Nationals from the following countries face a partial ban on these categories:
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Togo
- Venezuela
- Turkmenistan (Turkmenistan’s ban applies to immigrant visas only)
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Benin
- Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
- Dominica
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Tanzania
- Tonga
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
For international nurses and allied health professionals, the impact will vary depending on:
- The type of visa being used (immigrant vs. non-immigrant)
- The country of birth
- Whether the nurse holds dual citizenship
- Whether an exception or waiver may apply
How the Travel Ban Affects International Nurses and Healthcare Employers
The expanded travel ban has serious implications for:
- Hospitals and healthcare systems sponsoring EB‑3 immigrant visas for nurses
- Long-term care and skilled nursing facilities planning to recruit internationally
- International nurses currently in the pipeline or planning to start a U.S. immigration case
Some key impacts include:
1. Delays, Denials, or Inability to Obtain New Visas
Nurses born in banned countries may be unable to:
- Obtain new immigrant visas (Green Cards) through consular processing
- Apply for certain nonimmigrant visas, including some training, study, or visitor visas
- Enter the United States even if a healthcare employer is ready and willing to sponsor them
This can disrupt staffing plans, scheduled start dates, and long-term workforce strategies.
2. Complications for Family Members
Even where a nurse’s visa might be theoretically possible, spouses and children may face issues depending on their:
- Country of birth
- Visa category
- Need to travel and re-enter the U.S.
Healthcare employers relying on recruitment from heavily affected regions may find that family-based complications make offers less viable, leading to higher attrition in the hiring pipeline.
3. Increased Need for Strategic Workforce Planning
With 39 countries now under some form of restriction, healthcare employers need to:
- Review where their international nurse recruitment is focused
- Consider diversifying source countries
- Build longer lead times into hiring and onboarding
- Work with experienced immigration counsel to evaluate risk and alternatives
At VisaMadeEZ, we help healthcare organizations assess candidate viability early, reduce the risk of last-minute visa denials, and structure recruitment programs that are more resilient to policy changes.
Are There Any Exceptions to the Travel Ban?
Yes. Despite the broad scope of the expanded travel ban, there are important exceptions, and in some cases, potential waivers may be available. Understanding these is essential for healthcare employers and international nurses.
The ban does not apply to:
1. Existing Green Card Holders
- Individuals who already hold U.S. lawful permanent resident status (Green Cards) are generally not subject to the ban, even if they were born in one of the listed countries.
2. Dual Nationals Traveling on a Non-Banned Passport
- If a nurse is a citizen of a banned country and another country not on the list (for example, through naturalization elsewhere), and travels on the non-banned passport, the ban typically does not apply.
- This can be a critical pathway for some healthcare professionals to continue or begin their U.S. careers.
3. Athletes, Coaches, and Immediate Family for Major International Sporting Events
- The proclamation includes a narrow exception for athletes, coaches, and their immediate relatives traveling specifically for the World Cup, Olympics, or another major sporting event recognized by the Secretary of State.
- This will rarely apply in the healthcare context, but it illustrates how targeted and specific some exceptions are.
4. Certain Diplomatic Visas and Some Iranian Minorities
- Specific diplomatic visa categories and certain visas issued to designated Iranian minorities are exempted.
- These are specialized categories and generally do not cover routine employment-based immigration for nurses.
5. Case-by-Case National Interest Determinations
- The U.S. government retains authority to grant visas on a case-by-case basis where it determines that issuance would serve the national interest.
- For example, in prior policy frameworks, there have been arguments that critical healthcare workers especially those filling essential roles in underserved areas should qualify for national interest consideration.
- Whether this will be applied broadly or narrowly under the current proclamation is uncertain and will likely depend on evolving guidance and consular practice.
What Can Healthcare Employers and International Nurses Do Now?
With the expanded travel ban in place, proactive immigration planning is more important than ever. Here are practical steps for both healthcare organizations and international nurses:
For Healthcare Organizations Hiring International Nurses
- Review your recruitment countries
- Identify whether your current or planned nurse candidates are born in any of the 39 restricted countries.
- Assess high-risk cases early
- Before investing heavily in a candidate, have an immigration attorney review country of birth, citizenship, and visa options.
- Diversify sources of recruitment
- Consider expanding your recruitment to countries not affected by the ban to keep your talent pipeline stable.
- Plan for longer timelines and contingencies
- Build in extra time in your onboarding and credentialing process in case visa issuance is slowed or denied.
For International Nurses
- Confirm how the ban applies to you
- Your country of birth, current citizenship, and immigration history all matter.
- Explore alternative pathways
- Dual nationality, different visa categories, or alternative timing may create opportunities in some cases.
- Stay informed
- Immigration policies can change quickly. Updated legal advice is crucial before making major decisions about relocation, employment, or travel.
How VisaMadeEZ Can Help
At VisaMadeEZ, our practice is dedicated to healthcare immigration, with a particular focus on helping:
- U.S. hospitals
- Long-term care facilities
- Home health agencies
- Healthcare staffing firms
…recruit and sponsor internationally trained nurses and other essential healthcare workers.
In light of the expanded travel ban, we can:
- Conduct country-of-birth risk assessments for current and prospective nurse candidates
- Advise on visa strategy, including immigrant and nonimmigrant options not affected by the ban
- Evaluate whether a national interest argument or other exception might be viable in specific cases
- Help you restructure your international recruitment strategy to minimize disruption and maintain staffing levels
Need Guidance on How the Travel Ban Affects Your Nurse Recruitment?
If you are a healthcare employer or an international nurse concerned about how the expanded travel ban may affect your plans, professional immigration guidance is essential.
Contact VisaMadeEZ to schedule a consultation and discuss:
- Whether the travel ban applies in your situation
- What visa options may still be available
- How to plan your recruitment, hiring, or relocation strategy under the new rules
We’re here to help healthcare organizations navigate complex immigration laws while continuing to bring qualified international nurses to the front lines of patient care in the United States.
