Travel restrictions: Presidential Proclamation 10998

Presidential Proclamation 10998, dated December 16, 2025, has imposed visa and entry restrictions since January 1, 2026, on nationals of 39 countries and people traveling with a Palestinian Authority document. Türkiye is not on the list. However, the decision closely affects many foreigners living in Türkiye, dual nationals, and their relatives in the United States. On this page, you will find who is affected, the exceptions, and the current status of other visa restrictions in 2026.

• The decision was signed on December 16, 2025, and published in the Federal Register on December 19, 2025.
• It entered into force on January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. (U.S. Eastern Time).
• It continues and expands the restrictions imposed on 19 countries by the decision dated June 4, 2025, numbered 10949.
• Türkiye is not on the list. Applicants using a Turkish passport are not affected by this decision.
• The restriction is applied based on nationality. Living in Türkiye does not change the result.

• Visa issuance for all immigrant and nonimmigrant visa categories has been suspended. There are only limited exceptions (below).
• Countries: Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Burkina Faso, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen.
• Applicants traveling with a document issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority are also covered.

• Suspended visas: B-1/B-2 (tourist and business), F and M (student), J (exchange), and all immigrant visas.
• Countries: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
• The validity period of other nonimmigrant visas issued to nationals of most of these countries (e.g., work visas) is shortened to the extent permitted by law.
• Turkmenistan: only immigrant visas are suspended. The restriction on B, F, M, and J visas for Turkmenistan was removed by this decision.

• People who were in the United States on January 1, 2026, or who had a valid visa on that date. Visas issued before that date were not revoked because of this decision.
• Green card holders.
• Dual nationals traveling with the passport of a country that is not restricted. For example, if you are a citizen of both Iran and Türkiye, you may apply using your Turkish passport.
• People traveling with A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, and NATO-1–6 visas.
• Athletes, team members, coaches, support personnel, and close relatives traveling to the World Cup, the Olympics, and major sporting events designated by the Department of State.
• Special immigrant visa (SIV) holders for employees of the U.S. government.
• Immigrant visas issued to ethnic and religious minorities persecuted in Iran.
• People granted asylum by the United States and refugees admitted to the United States. The decision does not limit the right to apply for asylum.
• Case-by-case national interest exception: This may be granted by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or the Attorney General. Children adopted by U.S. families may be considered through this process; families do not need to take an additional step.

• The following exceptions included in decision 10949 no longer apply:
  • Immediate-relative immigrant visas for spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens (IR-1/CR-1, IR-2/CR-2, IR-5)
  • Adoption visas (IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, IH-4)
  • Afghan special immigrant visas

• Citizens of Syria, Iran, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Sudan, and Somalia living in Türkiye are subject to the full restriction. Turkmenistani citizens are affected with respect to immigrant visas.
• Temporary visa appointments are obtained from the U.S. mission in the country of citizenship or residence. If you are applying in your country of residence, you must prove that you live there.
• Iranian citizens in Türkiye are required to provide additional documents for all temporary visa categories:
  • the original military service card and its English translation
  • the original birth certificate (shenasnameh) and national identity card
  • all old passports
• Immigrant visa interviews are conducted in Ankara. Since November 1, 2025, the NVC has scheduled appointments based on the place of residence, or, upon request, in the country of citizenship.

• With two policy memos dated December 2, 2025, and January 1, 2026 (PM-602-0192, PM-602-0194), USCIS had placed pending applications of nationals of these 39 countries on hold.
• On June 5, 2026, the Rhode Island Federal Court vacated these memos; a final judgment was issued on June 11, 2026. USCIS announced that the memos would be treated as if they had not been in effect.
• The Northern District of California Federal Court also halted implementation of the memos on August 24, 2026. It ordered USCIS to adjudicate applications through the normal process.
• USCIS stated that it disagrees with the decisions but will comply pending possible appellate review. The situation may change. If you have a case, consult an immigration attorney.

• Immigrant visa pause for 75 countries: It began on January 21, 2026. The list included countries such as Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Georgia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina; Türkiye was not included.
  • It has not been implemented since August 21, 2026 pursuant to a court decision (CLINIC v. Rubio).
• Visa bond: Türkiye is not on the list. If nationals of listed countries (e.g., Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Venezuela) are found eligible for a B-1/B-2 visa, they must deposit a $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000 bond.
  • The bond is paid using Form I-352, only when directed by a consular officer and through the provided link on Pay.gov.
  • Visa holders subject to a bond may enter and leave the United States only through commercial airports. Charter flights, private aircraft, land ports, and seaports may not be used.
• $100,000 for H-1B: New H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025, require a payment of $100,000. Decision 11069 extended this requirement until September 21, 2027. See 2.4 Work visas.
• Social media screening: Certain F, M, J, H-1B, H-4, K, and other visa applicants are required to make their accounts "public." Since October 1, 2026, I, TN, and TD visas have also been covered. See 1.6 Interview.

• The decision is reviewed every 180 days. The Secretary of State submits a report to the President on whether the restrictions should be maintained, lifted, or modified.
• As of our review on October 16, 2026, no new decision changing the country list had been published in the Federal Register.
• Before applying, check the latest status on the Department of State's decision page and the Embassy's visa page.

• Assuming that living in Türkiye provides an exemption from the restriction.
• Applying with the passport of a restricted country while holding dual nationality.
• Giving up travel because you think people with valid visas are also subject to the new restriction; or, conversely, assuming that entry is guaranteed.
• Paying the visa bond on a website other than the link provided by the officer.
• Relying on the old 2025 list of exceptions (immediate-relative visas).

• I am a Turkish citizen. Will I be affected? No. Türkiye is not on the list for this decision.
• I am an Iranian citizen living in Türkiye. Can I apply? You can apply and attend an interview. However, if you do not qualify for an exception, a visa may not be issued.
• Is the visa I obtained before January 1, 2026, valid? Yes, it was not revoked because of this decision. A CBP officer will still decide whether to admit you.
• I have a Green Card. Will I be affected? No. Green card holders are exempt.
• When will the restriction be lifted? There is no specific date. The decision is reviewed every 180 days.
• Is there an immigrant visa exception for my U.S. citizen spouse? The immediate-relative exception was removed by decision 10998. Only a case-by-case national interest exception may be possible.

• Full text of decision 10998 (Federal Register)
• Decision 10998 (PDF, govinfo)
• Department of State decision implementation page
• Visa bond country list
• Visa bond rule (Federal Register, August 3, 2026)
• USCIS – Update on hold memos