(WASHINGTON DC) – South Sudan has been placed under full United States travel restrictions following an expansion of US entry rules announced on 16 December 2025, a move expected to affect business travel, education links and diaspora engagement at a sensitive time for the country’s economy.
The new measures, issued under a presidential proclamation, are aimed at strengthening US national security by addressing what Washington describes as weaknesses in vetting, information sharing and screening systems in several countries. The restrictions are scheduled to take effect from 1 January 2026.
Under the expanded rules, South Sudan joins Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Syria on the list of countries facing full entry restrictions. Nationals of these countries will be barred from entering the United States, subject to limited exceptions. Individuals travelling on Palestinian Authority issued travel documents are also subject to a full suspension of entry.
South Sudan’s inclusion places it alongside a group of countries previously identified by US authorities as high risk. The list already included Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Laos and Sierra Leone, which were previously under partial restrictions, have now been moved to the full restriction category.
US officials cited concerns related to terrorism, governance challenges, unreliable civil documentation systems and limited capacity to conduct background checks. In the case of South Sudan, the decision reflects ongoing security concerns and weaknesses in identity management systems, which US authorities say make effective vetting difficult.
For South Sudan’s business community, the expanded travel ban is likely to have practical implications. Entrepreneurs, traders, students and professionals who rely on travel to the United States for investment discussions, training or education may face new barriers. Diaspora communities, which play an important role through remittances and business links, could also be affected.
Several other African countries have been placed under partial restrictions rather than a full ban. These include Angola, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Partial restrictions are largely based on visa overstay rates, weaknesses in passport controls and gaps in civil registration systems.
Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, was cited for relatively high visa overstay rates and security challenges linked to extremist groups. While Nigeria faces only partial restrictions, analysts note that the move underscores growing US scrutiny of migration management across the continent.
Countries affected by US travel restrictions
| Category | Countries |
|---|---|
| Full restrictions | Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burma, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen |
| Partial restrictions | Angola, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
| Special case | Turkmenistan, immigrant restrictions only |
The White House said the restrictions would remain in place until affected countries demonstrate credible improvements in identity management, information sharing and cooperation with US immigration authorities. Officials stressed that the policy allows for regular reviews and could be adjusted if progress is made.
Despite the broad scope of the ban, several exemptions apply. Lawful permanent residents of the United States, many existing visa holders, diplomats and athletes travelling for major sporting events are not affected. Case by case waivers may also be granted where travel is deemed to serve US national interests, including humanitarian and certain academic purposes.
The announcement follows a series of policy decisions by President Donald Trump since his return to office in January, including tighter immigration controls. US officials referenced a recent security incident involving an Afghan national as part of the justification for the broader approach to entry restrictions.
For South Sudan, the development adds another external challenge as the country seeks to rebuild its economy, attract investment and strengthen international partnerships. While the government has yet to issue an official response, business leaders say improved civil documentation, border management and information systems will be essential to reducing the impact of such measures in the future.
