The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is considering imposing new travel restrictions on citizens from several countries, including a number of African nations, as part of a broader immigration crackdown.
According to a leaked internal memo seen by Reuters, the proposed restrictions would divide the affected countries into three categories: those facing full visa suspension, those with partial visa restrictions, and those required to address security deficiencies or risk visa limitations.
African countries on the list
Full visa suspension
Citizens of the following African nations would face a complete ban on U.S. visa issuance if the policy is implemented:
Libya
Somalia
Sudan
Partial Visa Suspension
The second category includes countries whose nationals would face restrictions on tourist, student, and certain immigrant visas:
Eritrea
South Sudan
Countries at Risk of Partial Suspension
The third category consists of nations that could face partial visa suspensions if they fail to address security screening deficiencies within 60 days:
Angola
Benin
Burkina Faso
Cape Verde
Cameroon
Chad
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Equatorial Guinea
Gambia
Liberia
Malawi
Mauritania
Republic of the Congo
Sierra Leone
São Tomé and Príncipe
The Trump administration has not yet finalised the list, and U.S. officials caution that it remains subject to revision. The proposed restrictions follow an executive order signed on January 20, 2025, which mandates stricter security vetting for foreign nationals seeking entry into the United States.
This move mirrors the 2017 travel ban that predominantly affected Muslim-majority countries. If approved, the new restrictions could significantly impact travel, education, and business relations between the U.S. and the listed African nations.
