Travel ban: 10 exceptions that allow citizens from restricted countries to enter the U.S.

President Trump's travel ban affects citizens from 12 countries, imposing restrictions due to national security concerns.
Certain exceptions allow entry based on humanitarian grounds, national interest, or specific visa classifications.
Critics argue the travel restrictions disproportionately affect vulnerable populations and strain international relations.

Despite the travel ban in place, there are specific exceptions that allow citizens from the affected or restricted countries to enter the United States.

These exceptions are typically based on humanitarian grounds, national interest, or specific visa classifications and are designed to accommodate urgent or essential travel needs that align with U.S. policy considerations.

The travel ban which takes effect from today, bars nationals from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen from entering the U.S.

Additionally, nationals from seven other countries - Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela, face partial travel restrictions.

The U.S. government justifies these measures on national security grounds, citing concerns over terrorism, insufficient passport controls, and high visa overstay rates in the affected countries.

However, exceptions exist that allow certain individuals from these nations to enter the U.S. These exemptions reflect the government’s recognition of humanitarian, diplomatic, and strategic factors that require flexibility beyond the broad restrictions.

Here are 10 exceptions to Trump’s travel restrictions

President Trump’s travel restrictions have sparked widespread criticism both internationally and domestically Business Insider USA

According to the BBC, the travel restrictions do not apply to specific categories of individuals, as detailed in the list below.

"Lawful permanent" US residents
Their immediate family members who hold immigrant visas
US government employees with Special Immigrant Visas
Adoptions
Dual nationals when the individual is not travelling on a passport from one of the affected countries
Afghan nationals holding Special Immigrant Visas
Holders of "immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran"
Foreign nationals travelling with certain non-immigrant visas
Athletes, their teams (including coaches and supporting staff), and their immediate family when travelling for major sporting events, such as the men's football World Cup in 2026 and the Summer 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles
In addition, the US Secretary of State may grant exemptions to individuals on a "case-by-case" basis, if "the individual would serve a United States national interest".

Trump’s travel restrictions criticized

President Trump’s travel restrictions have sparked widespread criticism both internationally and domestically.

Numerous countries and organizations have voiced dissent, arguing that the ban unfairly targets certain nations and exacerbates existing geopolitical tensions.

The African Union was among the first to publicly condemn the policy, urging the United States to engage in meaningful dialogue with the affected countries rather than impose broad restrictions.

The group emphasized that cooperation and diplomatic engagement would better address security concerns without harming innocent civilians.

In a notable response, the President of Mali took retaliatory measures by limiting visa issuance to U.S. citizens hoping to travel to Mali.

Critics also argue that the ban disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including refugees and diaspora communities, and may undermine global efforts to promote human rights and international cooperation.