{"id":25402,"date":"2025-12-18T14:10:36","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T19:10:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/iso\/?p=25402"},"modified":"2026-01-08T14:11:40","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T19:11:40","slug":"guidance-travel-ban-countries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/iso\/guidance-travel-ban-countries\/","title":{"rendered":"Guidance: Travel Ban Countries"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Tuesday, December 16, 2025 the U.S. government signed a new\u00a0travel ban<\/strong><\/a> that prohibits citizens from Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Syria, and any individuals who seek to travel on any travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority from entering the United States. Citizens of Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d \u2018Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are also prohibited from entering the U.S. on B, F, and J visas. The new travel ban takes effect on January 1, 2026, and does not impact citizens from those countries who are already in the United States<\/strong>. The University and the International Services Office (ISO) are closely monitoring developments and will provide you with timely updates.<\/p>\n

To ensure that you are able to resume classes in the spring, we strongly recommend the following:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. If you are currently in the United States, do not travel outside of the country<\/strong>.\u00a0 This includes travel to Mexico and Canada.<\/li>\n
  2. If you are currently outside of the United States, we recommend that you return before Tuesday, December 30, 2025.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    We understand that this is unsettling news. Given the challenges of the current situation, we would like to remind you of the\u00a0resources<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0that are available to you. Additionally, if you are interested, the ISO is happy to arrange for a Zoom chat to better understand how we can support you during this time. Whether it is connecting with other students and scholars from the impacted countries for shared support, or simply just to listen, the ISO is happy to help. If this is something that would be of interest, please feel free to contact Anastasia Tahou\u00a0atahou@ur.rochester.edu<\/strong><\/a>. Additionally, we will keep\u00a0The Federal Policy Changes<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0on our website updated as information becomes available.<\/p>\n

    As members of the international community, you are essential to the richness of our academic and cultural community. Your presence, ideas, and perspectives help shape a more inclusive and globally aware campus for everyone.<\/p>\n

    Kindest regards,<\/p>\n

    Reitumetse Obakeng Mabokela, Ph.D
    \n<\/strong>Vice Provost, Global Engagement
    \nProfessor, Warner School of Education<\/span><\/p>\n

    Wendy L. Fritz, Ed.D
    \n<\/strong>Interim Assistant Vice Provost for Support and Engagement and Interim Director
    \nInternational Services Office | Office of Global Engagement<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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