Travel Ban 2025: Travel and visa policies around the world are constantly changing. Several countries have recently imposed restrictions on tourists and immigrants due to security, immigration control, and health concerns. Notably, the United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have tightened visa regulations for citizens of several countries. Let's explain these in detail.

US travel ban

In June 2025, the United States issued Proclamation 10949, imposing a complete entry ban on citizens of 12 countries. These countries include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Citizens of these countries will no longer be able to enter the United States on any type of visa.

In addition, the US has imposed partial restrictions on seven other countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. This means that citizens of these countries will not be allowed entry under certain visa categories. However, exemptions are granted to holders of existing valid visas, permanent residents, and those associated with certain family or sporting events. The US administration states that this step has been taken with national security and public safety in mind. The banned countries have weak identity verification systems, high visa overstay rates, and are often reluctant to repatriate citizens.

UAE visa ban

Following the US, the UAE is also in the news. According to some media reports, the UAE has temporarily suspended new tourist and work visa applications for citizens of nine African and Asian countries. This list reportedly includes Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Sudan, and Uganda.

While this information has not yet been officially confirmed by the UAE government, embassies in some countries have dismissed the news as false and termed it a rumor. Reports suggest that this step has been taken to prevent security concerns, document fraud, and illegal migration. It's worth noting that this ban only applies to new visa applications. Those who already have valid visas can travel to the UAE.

Why are travel bans increasing?

These moves by the US and UAE reflect the increasing willingness of many countries to monitor their borders. Migration challenges, security concerns, and international politics are among the primary reasons behind such decisions. Since the pandemic, many countries have also tightened their visa policies to ensure both health and safety measures.

It's now crucial for travelers to check the latest official guidelines before applying for a visa in any country. The US has implemented this legally and through an official order, while the UAE's case is currently based on media reports. Nevertheless, both incidents indicate that more countries may tighten their visa policies in the future.