According to anonymous government sources, the Trump Administration is preparing to implement a travel ban that could bar or severely restrict entry for citizens of up to 43 countries, though no final decisions have been made. Importantly, we only have access to a draft policy at this point. It is unknown at this point what the final policy might entail or when it might take effect.

A draft list of recommendations from diplomatic and security officials proposes a three-tiered system:

• Red List (11 countries): Citizens from these nations would face a total travel ban, preventing them from entering the U.S. under any circumstances.
• Orange List (10 countries): These nations would face sharply restricted visa policies, with entry primarily limited to affluent business travelers and subject to mandatory in-person visa interviews.
• Yellow List (22 countries): These countries would have 60 days to address perceived security deficiencies or risk being moved to the red or orange lists.

It is unclear whether current visa holders or lawful permanent residents (green card holders) from affected countries would be exempt from the new rules. Officials have also not specified whether the administration will provide waivers or exemptions for certain categories of travelers, such as students or family members of U.S. citizens.

The finalized recommendations are expected to be acted on by the White House soon (likely within the last two weeks of March), though changes to the list or overall policy are possible.

We caution that similar action restricting travelers from seven majority-Muslim nations was taken during Trump’s first term with little to no warning. As such, individuals from countries on the Red or Orange list below may wish to exercise caution and return to the U.S. as soon as possible before new restrictions might take effect.

Draft List of Proposed Travel Ban Countries (NOTE: This list is subject to change and has not been finalized yet)

Red List (Total Travel Ban – 11 Countries)
            1.         Afghanistan
            2.         Bhutan
            3.         Cuba
            4.         Iran
            5.         Libya
            6.         North Korea
            7.         Somalia
            8.         Sudan
            9.         Syria
            10.      Venezuela
            11.      Yemen

Orange List (Severely Restricted Visas – 10 Countries)
            12.      Belarus
            13.      Eritrea
            14.      Haiti
            15.      Laos
            16.      Myanmar
            17.      Pakistan
            18.      Russia
            19.      Sierra Leone
            20.      South Sudan
            21.      Turkmenistan

Yellow List (60-Day Compliance Period – 22 Countries)
            22.      Angola
            23.      Antigua and Barbuda
            24.      Benin
            25.      Burkina Faso
            26.      Cambodia
            27.      Cameroon
            28.      Cape Verde
            29.      Chad
            30.      Republic of Congo
            31.      Democratic Republic of Congo
            32.      Dominica
            33.      Equatorial Guinea
            34.      Gambia
            35.      Liberia
            36.      Malawi
            37.      Mali
            38.      Mauritania
            39.      St. Kitts and Nevis
            40.      St. Lucia
            41.      São Tomé and Príncipe
            42.      Vanuatu
            43.      Zimbabwe

We will continue to monitor for updates and share any further information as soon as it’s known.