The administration of the United States President Donald Trump has added Tanzania to a list of countries facing US visa restrictions. In addition, the US government has banned an additional five countries from getting any types of US visas.
In the proclamation order that was issued by the White House on December 16, 2025, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria were added to the list of banned countries which includes Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
The proclamation then added 15 additional countries to the list of countries with visa restrictions.
“The [proclamation] adds partial restrictions and entry limitations on 15 additional countries: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe,” the proclamation that was issued by the White House stated.
The restrictions would impact applications from immigrants and non-immigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J Visas. On the restrictions slapped on Tanzania, the White House said that Tanzanians had demonstrated a tendency for overstaying their visit visas.
“According to the Overstay Report, Tanzania had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 8.30 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 13.97 percent,” the proclamation stated.
Nigeria was cited for acts of terror which have been creating vetting and screening difficulties. In addition, the West African nation was also cited for having substantial overstays.
“Radical Islamic terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State operate freely in certain parts of Nigeria, which creates substantial screening and vetting difficulties,” the proclamation stated.
“According to the Overstay Report, Nigeria had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 5.56 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 11.90 percent.”
Nonetheless, the White House proclamation stated that the restrictions would have exceptions for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, certain visa categories like athletes and diplomats, and individuals whose entry serves US national interests.
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