ExecutiveOrdersEO
Proc 10998ProclamationTrump 47 · R

Proclamation 10998

Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the Security of the United States

Proclamation 10998 expands and modifies travel restrictions on foreign nationals from countries deemed to have deficient screening and vetting capabilities. It continues full or partial entry suspensions for 19 countries from prior proclamations, adds 8 new countries to full suspension (including Syria and PA-document holders), imposes partial suspensions on 15 additional countries, and narrows family-based visa exceptions while adding new exceptions for athletes and DOJ witnesses. The proclamation takes effect January 1, 2026, with 180-day review cycles.

Federal Register Open PDF 90 FR 59717

Impact dates

  1. First 180-day report due on continuation, termination, modification, or supplementation of suspensions

  2. Every 180 days thereafter: recurring reports on suspensions and limitations

  3. Proclamation effective — entry restrictions take effect for covered foreign nationals without valid visas

Key directives

  • Continue full suspension of entry for nationals of 12 countries (Section 2)
  • Continue partial suspension for nationals of 4 countries (Section 3)
  • Impose new full suspension for nationals of 7 countries plus PA-document holders (Section 4)
  • Impose new partial suspension for nationals of 15 countries (Section 5)
  • Narrow categorical exceptions: remove broad family-based immigrant visa exception (Section 1, preamble)
  • Add new exceptions for athletes at major sporting events, DOJ witnesses, and ethnic/religious minorities from Iran (Section 6(b))
  • Section 6(c) exceptions amend and supersede Proclamation 10949 exceptions for Sections 2-3 countries
  • Turkmenistan nonimmigrant suspension lifted; immigrant suspension continues (Section 5(n))
  • Consular officers shall reduce validity of other nonimmigrant visas for partially restricted countries to extent permitted by law
  • 180-day review reports to President through Assistant to President for Homeland Security (Section 7(a))
  • Immediate engagement with Section 4-5 countries on compliance measures (Section 7(b))
  • Effective date: January 1, 2026, 12:01 a.m. EST (Section 10)

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Proclamation signed December 16, 2025
  • Engagement with newly restricted countries to begin immediately per Section 7(b)

Near term (90d)

  • Effective date: January 1, 2026 at 12:01 a.m. EST — entry restrictions take effect for all covered foreign nationals without valid visas
  • First 180-day review report due by June 14, 2026
  • Ongoing engagement with restricted countries on vetting improvements

Long term

  • Repeating 180-day review cycles for continuation, termination, modification, or supplementation of restrictions
  • Potential removal or adjustment of restrictions if countries improve screening and vetting (as demonstrated by Turkmenistan partial lifting)

Risks & tensions

  • Likely immediate legal challenges to scope and country-specific determinations
  • Narrowing of family-based visa exceptions may face statutory and constitutional scrutiny under INA family reunification provisions
  • PA-document holder suspension intersects with complex Middle East diplomacy and recognition issues
  • Turkmenistan partial lifting creates precedent that may incentivize or pressure other restricted countries
  • High overstay rates cited as partial justification, but partial suspensions still allow some visa categories, creating enforcement complexity
  • CBI program targeting may affect bilateral investment treaty relationships with Caribbean nations
  • Vague 'culture, government, institutions, or founding principles' language in preamble raises First Amendment concerns
  • Reliance on classified information for country determinations limits judicial review and public accountability
Proclamation 10998: Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the Security of the United States · Executive Orders