How the Trump travel ban will affect British tourists
Nationals from 12 countries will be barred from entering the United States under President Trump's new travel ban.
In a video posted by the White House on Wednesday June 4, President Trump said the restrictions were 'a key part of preventing major foreign terror attacks on American soil.'
In addition to the 12 countries facing a total ban, nationals from an additional seven countries will face partial restrictions on entering the United States.
The travel ban echoes a similar policy introduced in 2017, during Trump's first term, when he banned foreign nationals from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States.
The only countries that feature on both 2017 and 2025 lists are Iran, Libya and Somalia.
Which 12 countries are in the new Trump travel ban list?
Nationals from the following countries cannot travel to the US for immigrant or non-immigrant purposes:
Afghanistan
Myanmar
Chad
Republic of the Congo
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Haiti
Iran
Libya
Somalia
Sudan
Yemen
Which countries have partial restrictions placed on them?
Certain visa programs on offer to nationals from the following countries have been suspended, but an outright travel ban has not been implemented:
Burundi
Cuba
Laos
Sierra Leone
Togo
Turkmenistan
Venezuela
Could the list grow?
Announcing the ban, President Trump said: 'The list is subject to revision based on whether material improvements are made and likewise new countries can be added as threats emerge around the world.'
Will there be exemptions?
Athletes travelling for major sporting events (including the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics), certain dual nationals and Afghan nationals with Special Immigrant Visas will be exempt.
The secretary of state also said there could be exemptions made on a 'case-by-case' basis.
Is Egypt on the list?
Despite Donald Trump citing the recent attack in Colorado by an Egyptian national when announcing his latest travel ban, Egypt is not included in the 19 countries.
Why do these countries face travel bans?
The broad reason for the travel ban is 'national security', but there are some specific categories.
For some countries the concern is that there is no reliable process for issuing passports or vetting nationals leaving the country. This applies to Afghanistan, Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Libya and Venezuela.
For others, the concern is that there are a high number of immigrants overstaying their US visas. This applies to Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Burundi, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo and Turkmenistan.
Then there are the countries that are included because of terrorist activity or 'state-sponsored terrorism'. These include Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Libya and Somalia.
When will the travel ban begin?
The travel ban will come into effect on June 9, 2025. No end date has been provided. This gives slightly more time for preparations to be made compared to 2017's executive order, when there was widespread disruption across US airports as nationals from banned countries were turned around at the border.
How will the Trump travel ban affect British nationals?
Dual nationals are exempt from the travel ban. If you hold both British and Iranian passports and travel into the United States on a British passport, you will not be automatically denied entry. However, certain dual nationals (including British/Iranian nationals) are exempt from the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (Esta) visa-waiver scheme and will need to apply for a full visa (see below).
Do passport stamps from certain countries complicate entry to the US?
The United States prevents British citizens from applying for an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (Esta) visa waiver if they have visited certain countries since March 2011.
These are Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia (including Somaliland), Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
This, however, is not linked to the Trump travel ban. The Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act was signed by Barack Obama in 2015.
You also cannot apply for an Esta visa waiver if you have been to Cuba since January 12, 2021, after Donald Trump designated Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism.
If you have travelled to these countries, it is not impossible to enter the United States, but it does mean you need to apply (and pay) for a full US visa.
You will also need to apply for a full visa if you are a UK citizen with dual nationality with Iraq, Syria, Iran, North Korea or Sudan, regardless of whether you have been present in that country since March 2011.
You can apply for an Esta (valid for up to 90 days of travel) online for the price of $21 (£15.50). To get a visa, you will need to attend an appointment at the US embassy and pay $185 (£136) during the application stage.
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