(JUBA) – The United States has introduced new travel restrictions and visa bond requirements affecting citizens from 39 countries, including South Sudan, as part of tighter border and immigration controls that took effect from 1 January 2026.
The policy, signed on 16 December 2025, expands the previous list of 19 restricted countries to 39. Full bans now apply to citizens from Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burma, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, and holders of Palestinian Authority-issued travel documents. Citizens from these nations cannot obtain US visas for tourism, study, work, or immigration.
Partial bans affect another 19 countries, including Angola, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, where visa issuance is heavily restricted. For these travellers, visas may be limited to single entry and a maximum validity of three months. Tourist (B-1/B-2), student (F, M), and exchange visitor (J) visas are impacted the most.
Existing visa holders, US permanent residents, dual nationals travelling on non-restricted passports, and those already in the US are not affected. Certain exemptions apply for diplomats, government officials, major sporting events, and specific humanitarian cases, though all entrants remain subject to border officer discretion.
In addition to travel bans, the US has introduced a visa bond requirement for visitors from selected countries. The bond ranges from $5,000 to $15,000 and must be paid at the time of application for a B-1/B-2 visa. It is refundable only if travellers comply with entry and exit rules, do not overstay, and do not apply for asylum or change visa status. Countries added in January 2026 include Bhutan, Botswana, Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia, and Turkmenistan. A further 25 countries are expected to be added later in the month.
Visa bonds are intended to mitigate risk from overstay and gaps in vetting information. Travelers must enter and exit the US through designated airports. Failure to follow these conditions can result in forfeiting the bond and affect future visa applications.
For South Sudanese travellers, the restrictions mean that new visas for travel to the US will not be issued under the full ban. Businesses, students, and tourists planning trips should carefully review their eligibility, plan early, and factor additional costs into budgets if a visa bond is required.
Henley and Partners noted that the restrictions do not change passport rankings in the Henley Passport Index, as affected countries already required visas for the US. The ban only affects the availability of new visas, not visa-free travel access.
The new US measures are part of broader efforts to tighten border security, manage immigration risk, and improve compliance among foreign travellers. Experts advise those affected to keep documentation accurate, understand new requirements and allow extra time for visa applications.
