Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK The United States takes a significant step against terror threats.
As of today, June 9, 2025, citizens of 19 countries will no longer be eligible to obtain stay visas in the United States. These countries include Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, and others.
According to a White House announcement, the decision was made "in accordance with the presidential proclamation on limiting the entry of foreign nationals to protect the United States from foreign terrorists and other threats to national and public safety," effective as of today, June 9, 2025.
The White House statement read: "We are protecting our country and its citizens through rigorous screening and checking procedures focused on security to ensure that approved entrants do not pose national or public security risks. From now on, the Department of State completely stops issuing visas."
Exceptions to the decision include certain diplomatic and official visas, certain immigrant visas for direct relatives (spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens), adoptions by U.S. citizens, immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran, participants in major sports events, and more.
Visa applicants affected by this presidential proclamation may still submit visa applications and schedule interviews, but they may not be eligible for visa issuance or entry into the United States.
This dramatic decision comes with and without connection to two recent terrorist attacks on U.S. soil against Jews and Israelis – one in Washington where two Israeli embassy workers in the U.S. were killed, and the throwing of Molotov cocktails at a demonstration for the release of hostages in Boulder, Colorado.
