Comprehensive List of 43 Countries Included in Donald Trump’s Proposed Travel Ban

The administration of Donald Trump is working on new, stricter entry regulations for the United States, which may include potential bans on citizens from 43 countries across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, according to reports.

As per unnamed officials in the U.S., The New York Times indicated that three categories have been established for these countries: red, orange, and yellow.

The red category includes 11 countries whose citizens would face an absolute travel ban, while the other two categories would be subject to visa restrictions pending ongoing evaluations, leading to a total of 43 countries identified in the report.

Reuters previously mentioned that there were 41 countries under consideration for these restrictions.

Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. State Department for further information.

President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House on March 13, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House on March 13, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Why it matters

After taking office on January 20, Trump signed an executive order mandating stricter security checks for foreigners looking to enter the U.S. to uncover potential national security risks.

The possibility of denying entry to individuals from multiple countries recalls Trump’s earlier ban on seven predominantly Muslim nations during his initial term, which provoked significant backlash and legal challenges, ultimately upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court before being rescinded by President Joe Biden’s administration.

What to know

Trump has instructed the State Department to complete a report within 60 days, detailing a list of countries with inadequate vetting and screening protocols for their citizens.

This initiative is being coordinated by the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, supported by the Justice and Homeland Security Departments and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, according to the NYT.

The proposed “red” list comprises 11 countries whose citizens would be completely banned from entering the U.S., including Afghanistan, which was not included in Trump’s first round of travel restrictions but came under Taliban control following the U.S. withdrawal in 2021.

Red List:

Afghanistan. Bhutan. Cuba. Iran. Libya. North Korea. Somalia. Sudan. Syria. Venezuela. Yemen.

Currently, there is also an “orange” list of 10 countries where citizens will encounter restrictions; however, travel will not be entirely prohibited, allowing for business travelers while excluding immigrants and tourists. Those seeking visas will be required to attend in-person interviews.

This includes visitors from Russia despite Trump’s efforts to adjust U.S. foreign policy to be more favorable towards Moscow.

Orange List

Belarus Eritrea Haiti Laos Myanmar Pakistan Russia Sierra Leone South Sudan Turkmenistan

There is also a yellow list of 22 countries that have 60 days to rectify perceived shortcomings, with the potential to be moved to different lists if they fail to comply.

Concerns raised about these countries include issues with sharing traveler information with the United States, inadequate security measures for passport issuance, and the possible sale of citizenship to individuals from banned nations.

Yellow List

Angola Antigua and Barbuda Benin Burkina Faso Cambodia Cameroon Cape Verde Chad Republic of Congo Democratic Republic of Congo Dominica Equatorial Guinea Gambia Liberia Malawi Mali Mauritania St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia São Tomé and Príncipe Vanuatu Zimbabwe

What people are saying

The New York Times stated: “The Trump administration is contemplating restricting travel for citizens of up to 43 countries as part of a new travel ban to the United States.”

What happens next

According to the NYT, these lists were established weeks ago but could be revised before reaching the White House based on feedback from security experts, embassies, and officials from the State Department’s regional bureaus.

Furthermore, the State Department’s current plans do not clarify whether individuals with existing visas would be exempt from the ban or if their visas would be revoked. It remains uncertain whether green card holders would also be excluded from these restrictions.