US targets 41 countries for travel curbs ranging from Iran to Pakistan: memo

The countries are divided into three separate groups with varying degrees of travel restrictions, according to an internal memo

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Protesters hold signs in New York against US President Donald Trump’s limited travel ban in 2017. Photo: Reuters

Published: 11:17am, 15 Mar 2025

The Trump administration is considering issuing sweeping travel restrictions for the citizens of dozens of countries as part of a new ban, according to sources familiar with the matter and an internal memo.

The memo lists a total of 41 countries divided into three separate groups. The first group of 10 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba and North Korea among others, would be set for a full visa suspension.

In the second group, five countries – Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar and South Sudan – would face partial suspensions that would impact tourist and student visas as well as other immigrant visas, with some exceptions.

In the third group, a total of 26 countries, including Belarus, Pakistan and Turkmenistan among others, would be considered for a partial suspension of US visa issuance if their governments “do not make efforts to address deficiencies within 60 days”, the memo said.

A US official speaking on the condition of anonymity cautioned there could be changes on the list and that it was yet to be approved by the administration, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia. The US is considering travel curbs against 41 countries, according to an internal memo. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

The New York Times first reported on the list of countries.