A new travel ban has been set in motion since the last one meant for 90 days expired on September 24, 2017. The refugee ban expires in October. This more permanent travel ban is tailored to certain countries and specific to meet different threats. The new ban announced by President Trump is going to follow stricter application of the restrictions, be tougher on the countries it engulfs and will be quite specific in its needs. This is meant to go into effect on October 18, 2017.

Why have a New Travel Ban?

• The previous one expired;
• The Department of Homeland Security had created new global security benchmarks for all countries that included electronic passports with biometric information, report lost or stolen passports to Interpol, and share information about travelers’ terror-related and criminal histories.
• Eight of these countries failed to comply and are now subjected to this travel ban.

Who will be Impacted by the New Travel ban?

Citizens of Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen will be affected by this ban.

What is ‘New’ About the New Travel Ban?

• An indefinite ban on all visas for citizens of Syria.
• Suspension of non-immigrant visas to government officials and their immediate families of Venezuela.
• Suspension of all immigrant visas for nationals of Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Yemen and Somalia.
• Suspension of business and tourist visas to nationals of Chad, Libya, North Korea, Syria and Yemen.

Who will get an Exception?

• Current valid visas will not be revoked.
• Case-by-case waivers for citizens of the affected countries who meet certain criteria.
• Anyone who having previously worked or studied in the U.S. for a lengthy and continuous period of time activity may be given an exception upon inspection;
• If these applicants have a previously established ‘significant contact’ in the U.S. they could be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for a visa;
• Citizens from these affected countries having a significant business or professional obligations in the U.S may also earn an exception;
• Somali applicants will undergo extreme vetting if they apply for non-immigrant visas;
• Citizens of Iran can get student and cultural exchange visas but will still be subjected to additional scrutiny;
• Iranians are not eligible for tourism and business visas.