By: Chris Musillo

On January 31, 2020, the President issued a Presidential Proclamation expanding the existing travel ban to include the following countries: Burma (Myanmar), Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Sudan, and Tanzania.

The new travel ban goes into effect February 21, 2020 at midnight. Individuals from countries on the new travel ban who have received their visas before February 21, 2020 can still enter the US. However, we recommend that individuals from the newly banned countries enter before the travel ban goes into effect on February 21, 2020.

The government will be reviewing the banned countries on October 1, 2020, and annually thereafter. If the banned countries comply with the US on information sharing, the country may be removed from the banned list.

The full travel ban now includes the following thirteen countries and different types of visas are banned for each country:
Eritrea Suspends the entry of immigrants, except as Special Immigrants who have provided assistance to the U.S. government.
Kyrgyzstan Suspends the entry of immigrants, except Special Immigrants who have provided assistance to the U.S. government.
Iran Suspends the entry of immigrants and all nonimmigrants, except F (student), M (vocational student) and J (exchange visitor) visas, though they are subject to enhanced screening.
Libya Suspends the entry of immigrants and temporary visitors on business or tourist visas (B-1/B-2).
Myanmar Suspends the entry of immigrants, except Special Immigrants who have provided assistance to the U.S. government.
Nigeria Suspends the entry of immigrants, except Special Immigrants who have provided assistance to the U.S. government.
North Korea Suspends the entry of all immigrants and nonimmigrants.
Somalia Suspends the entry of immigrants and requires enhanced screening of all nonimmigrants.
Sudan Suspends the entry of Diversity Visa immigrants
Syria Suspends the entry of all immigrants and nonimmigrants.
Tanzania Suspends the entry of Diversity Visa immigrants
Venezuela Suspends the entry of certain government officials and their family members on business or tourist visas (B-1/B-2).
Yemen Suspends the entry of immigrants and temporary visitors on business or tourist visas (B-1/B-2).
Citizens of the banned countries who are already present in the United States can file for extensions of status, changes of status, or for green cards (adjustment of status).

If you are a citizen of one of the banned countries, please reach out to your MU attorney for further guidance.