The United States has expanded its travel ban, placing South Sudan under full entry restrictions and imposing partial limitations on Tanzania, a move that has drawn close attention across East Africa.
The decision, announced by the White House, will take effect on 1 January and is part of what the US administration says are measures to protect national security. Officials cited high visa overstay rates, weak civil registration systems, corruption, and poor cooperation in accepting deported nationals as reasons behind the move.
Under the new Proclamation, South Sudanese nationals are fully barred from entering the US, joining a list of countries facing complete restrictions. Tanzania, meanwhile, has been placed under partial travel limitations, which may affect certain visa categories and lead to increased scrutiny for applicants.
While several factors, including terrorism, visa overstays, and failure to accept deported nationals, contributed to the decision, the two East African countries were cited for two among these reasons: Tanzania was flagged for visa overstays, while South Sudan was singled out for failing to accept the return of deported nationals.
Though the move may raise concerns, the Proclamation also provides assurances by outlining exemptions for lawful permanent US residents, current visa holders, specific categories such as diplomats and athletes, and individuals whose entry is considered to serve US national interests. East Africa has strong migration, education, and peacekeeping links with the US, especially in South Sudan, where many citizens travel for resettlement, study, and medical reasons.
Beyond East Africa, the Proclamation also adds Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Syria to the full ban list, alongside individuals holding Palestinian Authority–issued travel documents. Laos and Sierra Leone, previously under partial restrictions, have now been moved to full bans. In total, 15 additional countries, including Nigeria and Zimbabwe, face partial restrictions.
The expanded travel ban marks the third time President Donald Trump has imposed such measures. The White House said the restrictions will remain in place until affected countries demonstrate “credible improvements” in identity management, information sharing, and cooperation with US immigration authorities.
For now, East African governments have not issued formal responses, but analysts say the move sends a clear signal of tougher immigration scrutiny, even for countries not directly listed, as Washington tightens its border and visa policies.
