The Trump administration is reportedly weighing significant travel restrictions on citizens from dozens of countries, with Pakistan among those potentially facing a partial suspension of U.S. visa issuances. According to sources and an internal memo obtained by Reuters, countries that fail to address deficiencies in their vetting processes within 60 days could see visa issuance restricted.
The memo identifies 41 countries, divided into three categories. The first group includes 10 nations, such as Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and North Korea, which would face a full visa suspension. The second group consists of five countries — Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan — that could face partial suspensions affecting tourist, student, and immigrant visas, with some exceptions. The third group includes 26 nations, including Belarus, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan, which will be considered for partial visa restrictions if their governments do not address the identified issues.
A U.S. official, speaking anonymously, stated that the list is still subject to change and has yet to be approved, including by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This move is reminiscent of Trump’s earlier travel bans targeting majority-Muslim nations, a policy that faced numerous legal challenges before being upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.
This directive stems from an executive order issued by Trump in January 2025, which calls for enhanced security vetting of foreign nationals applying for U.S. admission. The order mandates cabinet members to present a list of countries for potential visa suspensions by March 21, based on inadequate vetting and screening practices. This plan is part of Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, which he previewed in a speech in October 2023, focusing on nations that pose national security risks.
The State Department has yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter.
