Travel and Visa Restrictions Affecting Afghans
Updated February 16 2026
Two separate presidential proclamations in 2025 significantly restricted entry to the United States from Afghanistan and dozens of other countries. A subsequent federal court ruling in February 2026 clarified that Afghan Special Immigrant Visa processing cannot be stopped, though visa issuance and entry remain subject to the proclamations.
This page explains what changed, what remains in effect, and what it means for Afghan allies and their families.
June 4, 2025 Presidential Proclamation
On June 4, 2025, the President issued a proclamation suspending entry of nationals from 19 countries, including Afghanistan. The proclamation took effect June 9, 2025.
Countries subject to full suspension under the June proclamation
Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, and others.
The June proclamation included language recognizing Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders as exempt from the suspension.
Scope of the June proclamation
The restrictions applied to foreign nationals who:
Were outside the United States on the effective date
Did not possess a valid visa as of the effective date
The June order did not revoke visas already issued prior to the effective date.
December 16, 2025 Presidential Proclamation
Effective January 1, 2026
On December 16, 2025, the President issued a second proclamation that expanded and modified the earlier restrictions. It took effect January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST.
This proclamation significantly broadened the number of affected countries and narrowed certain exemptions.
Countries subject to full suspension
Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Syria.
Countries subject to partial restrictions
Burundi, Cuba, Togo, Venezuela, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Special case: Turkmenistan
Nonimmigrant restrictions for B-1/B-2 and F/M/J categories were lifted. Immigrant entry remains suspended.
Additional restriction
A full suspension applies to individuals traveling on Palestinian Authority issued or endorsed travel documents.
Scope of the December Proclamation
The December restrictions apply only to individuals who:
Are outside the United States as of January 1, 2026
Do not possess a valid visa issued before January 1, 2026
No visa issued prior to January 1, 2026 is revoked solely because of this proclamation.
Exemptions Under the December Proclamation
The December proclamation provides limited categorical exemptions, including:
Lawful permanent residents
Dual nationals traveling on a passport from a non designated country
Certain diplomatic and official visa categories
Athletes and essential personnel for major international sporting events
Special Immigrant Visas under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(D) for U.S. Government employees
Important clarification for Afghans:
The December proclamation does not include a broad categorical exemption for Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(E). Afghan nationals remain subject to the full suspension unless they already hold a valid visa issued before January 1, 2026, qualify under another listed exemption, or receive a case by case national interest exception.
February 6, 2026 Federal Court Ruling on Afghan SIV Processing
On February 6, 2026, a federal court held that the U.S. government may not suspend or halt the processing of Afghan Special Immigrant Visa applications. The court found that SIV processing is mandated by statute and must continue.
However, the court also clarified:
The government may continue to restrict visa issuance under the presidential proclamations.
The government may continue to restrict entry at the border under the proclamations.
This means:
SIV cases must continue to move through Chief of Mission review, National Visa Center processing, and interview readiness. The underlying administrative work cannot be stopped.
But even if a case is fully approved, visa issuance and physical entry into the United States may still be suspended under the travel ban unless an exemption or national interest exception applies.
In practical terms, processing continues, but travel remains constrained.
Case by Case National Interest Exceptions
Both proclamations allow for discretionary exceptions where entry would serve a U.S. national interest. These determinations are made by the Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, or Department of Justice, as applicable.
These are individualized determinations and are not automatic.
Practical Impact for Afghan Allies
The combined effect of the June and December proclamations, along with the February 6 court ruling, is this:
Afghan SIV processing must continue by law.
Visa issuance and entry remain restricted unless an exemption applies.
Refugee admissions remain effectively halted.
Family reunification pathways are severely limited.
Individuals without visas issued before January 1, 2026 face substantial barriers to entry.
The situation remains legally complex and operationally constrained.
AfghanEvac continues to monitor developments, advocate for lawful processing, and support Afghan allies navigating these restrictions.