US Entry Limits: Ivorian Travellers Should Check Eligibility Before Booking Trips

Presidential Proclamation 10998, which took effect on 1 January 2026, widened restrictions on entry and visa issuance for nationals of 39 countries. The measures affect tourist trips, family reunions and plans to move to the United States permanently, and the rules differ by nationality, visa category and existing immigration status.

For Americans expecting relatives or friends over the holiday season, the practical consequence is that an invitation or a place to stay does not by itself secure a visit. Some guests can still travel on visas issued before the restrictions began; others cannot obtain a new visitor visa at all.

Key facts

• Presidential Proclamation 10998 took effect on 1 January 2026.
• It covers nationals of 39 countries: 19 under a full suspension and 20 under partial restrictions.
• Visas that were valid when the proclamation took effect have not been revoked under it.
• Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) are exempt from the entry suspensions.
• Some otherwise eligible B-1/B-2 applicants may have to post a bond of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000.

Which travellers face a full ban?

The proclamation fully suspends entry and visa issuance for nationals of 19 countries across immigrant and nonimmigrant visa categories, subject to specific exceptions. This is the strictest tier, so a friend or relative generally cannot obtain a new tourist visa while the restrictions apply.

The countries are Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Burkina Faso, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. The restrictions also cover people travelling on documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority.

Which countries face partial restrictions?

Partial restrictions apply to 20 countries, but not to every visa category in the same way. For 19 of them, the suspension covers B-1/B-2 business and tourist visas, F and M student visas, J exchange visitor visas and all immigrant visas, subject to limited exceptions. Turkmenistan is treated separately: its restriction applies to immigrant visas only.

The 19 are Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe. A work visa is not automatically covered by the same partial suspension, and meeting ordinary visa criteria does not remove the proclamation's restrictions.

Do existing visas and green cards still work?

Travellers who held valid visas when the proclamation took effect are not covered by the new restrictions, and those visas have not been revoked under the proclamation itself. The visa must still be valid and the guest must meet all other entry requirements. A valid visa does not guarantee admission: U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers make the final decision at the port of entry.

The entry suspensions do not apply to lawful permanent residents, so a green card holder from a restricted country who travels abroad may generally return without being barred by this proclamation alone. The exemption does not remove other immigration requirements, and it does not extend to relatives still waiting for permanent residence or holding a different status.

What about dual nationals and family ties?

Dual nationals may qualify for an exception if they travel on a valid passport issued by a country not subject to the restrictions — for example, a Canadian citizen born in Iran or Haiti using a Canadian passport, provided the traveller meets the applicable requirements. Holding a second nationality alone is not enough; the qualifying passport must be used.

Family links no longer guarantee an exception. The proclamation removed categorical exceptions that previously covered certain family-based immigrant visas, including immediate-relative visas for spouses, children and parents of U.S. citizens, certain adoption visas and Afghan Special Immigrant Visas. A family invitation or an existing petition should not be treated as proof of an exception, and no invitation letter or legal consultation can guarantee approval.

How much is the visa bond?

The State Department's visa-bond program requires certain nationals who are otherwise eligible for a B-1/B-2 visa to post a bond of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000, at the consular officer's decision. The State Department's list dated 2 October 2026 covers 50 countries, including Angola, Benin, Burundi, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

A host may be able to pay the bond, but the payment must follow the State Department's instructions, including the requirement that the payer's name match the name on the bond form. Posting a bond does not guarantee visa issuance, and the money may be forfeited if the traveller violates the bond's conditions.

What this means for travellers

Hosts should confirm which tier applies to a guest's nationality and visa category before paying for flights, accommodation or holiday activities. Guests holding visas issued before 1 January 2026 should check that their visa remains valid, while green card holders should confirm their permanent resident documentation is in order before travelling.

Where a family-based application is involved, the source suggests consulting a qualified immigration attorney about the guest's circumstances and the appropriate process. No further changes, review dates or new lists have been announced.