U.S. Implements Full Travel Suspension for Sierra Leonean Nationals Effective January 2026

U.S. Implements Full Travel Suspension for Sierra Leonean Nationals Effective January 2026

The United States has announced a comprehensive suspension of entry for nationals of Sierra Leone, following the signing of a new presidential proclamation that broadens U.S. travel restrictions to include additional countries.

The ban, signed by U.S. President Donald J. Trump on 16 December 2025, is scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2026. It applies to Sierra Leonean nationals seeking both immigrant and non-immigrant entry who are currently outside the United States and do not possess a valid visa.

Under this proclamation, Sierra Leone joins six other nations newly subject to a complete entry suspension: Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria.

The U.S. government stated that this decision is predicated on persistent shortcomings in Sierra Leone’s national security screening, vetting, and information-sharing protocols. The proclamation specifically cited elevated visa overstay rates and a history of non-cooperation in accepting the return of nationals ordered removed from the United States as principal concerns.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s 2024 Entry/Exit Overstay Report, Sierra Leone registered an overstay rate of 35.83 percent for student and exchange visitor visas (F, M, and J categories), while the rate for business and tourist visas (B-1/B-2) was 16.48 percent.

The proclamation asserts that these deficiencies impede U.S. authorities' ability to adequately assess prior criminal activity and other grounds of inadmissibility, which it deems a risk to U.S. national security and public safety.

Sierra Leone was previously subject to partial entry restrictions but has now been escalated to a complete entry suspension. Laos, which was also under partial restrictions, was similarly upgraded to a full ban under the new proclamation.

In addition to the seven countries facing complete suspension, the proclamation imposes partial entry restrictions on nationals from 15 other countries, including Nigeria, The Gambia (Ghana’s neighbor), Senegal, and Tanzania. Partial restrictions also remain in place for Burundi, Cuba, Togo, and Venezuela.

The new measures maintain the full restrictions previously imposed on nationals from 12 countries classified as high risk, including Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

The proclamation outlines several exemptions, including for lawful permanent residents of the United States, current valid visa holders, diplomats, athletes, and specific other visa categories. Individuals granted asylum or refugee status are also exempt. Furthermore, case-by-case waivers may be granted if the travel is determined to serve U.S. national interests.

U.S. authorities indicated that the restrictions will undergo a review within 180 days and have directed relevant agencies to engage with the Sierra Leonean government on the steps necessary to rectify the identified deficiencies.

The entry suspension is anticipated to impact Sierra Leonean citizens planning to travel, study, work, or immigrate to the United States beginning in January 2026.