I’ve been to 145 countries and thought I’d seen some of the craziest travel bans and strictest entry rules — then 2026 happened. Now there’s more, and I’ve had to adjust my travel goals and plans more than ever. Between politics, safety policies, and domestic controls, some places are closed to U.S. Citizens outright, and others seem like velvet-roped clubs: you can only enter with special approval, a sponsor, or a government-issued letter of invitation.
Trigger warning: due to recent political events, more countries are banning or shunning U.S. citizens, and we all know there’s likely more to come. This post is not political, it’s just to help you out, and hopefully casually show how politics do affect travel! (For those who like to tell me “keep politics out of your travel posts”….)
So that being said, DISCLAIMER – before you book, check the official government website of the country you are wanting to visit (I personally don’t trust the US website since a lot of things have been deleted and it lists nearly every country as “Do Not Travel” but feel free to check that one as well).. This post reflects the travel landscape as of January 2026 and is written to help U.S. passport holders know where travel is effectively prohibited or tightly controlled right now.
My personal opinions of countries I feel might now be a bit uh, not happy seeing U.S. citizens, is at the end.
Resources: Unilad , Travel and Leisure, us.state.gov
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Countries with Full Travel Bans in 2026 for U.S. Citizens
There aren’t many countries who have put a full travel ban on U.S. citizens, but thanks to the U.S. gov banning citizens of these countries from entering the U.S., things have changed! So if you’ve ever dreamt of visiting Timbuktu or finally crossing North Korea off your “visit all the countries in the world-list”, you might be SOL.
These are the countries with full or near-full travel bans where U.S. citizens cannot go in 2026.
Chad
Chad sits at the crossroads of Central and North Africa, stretching from the sandy shores of Lake Chad to the sweeping dunes of the Sahara. It’s a country of striking contrasts: nomadic camel caravans in the north, vibrant markets in N’Djamena, and diverse ethnic groups whose traditions shape daily life. Despite its natural beauty and cultural richness, Chad has long navigated political transitions, regional instability, and security pressures along its borders.
Chad suspended routine visas for U.S. citizens as a reciprocal diplomatic move, effectively halting tourist and business visas.
Niger
Niger is a vast, sun‑baked country at the heart of the Sahara, known for its ancient caravan routes, dramatic desert landscapes, and the resilient cultures of the Tuareg and Fulani peoples. Cities like Agadez once thrived as crossroads of trans‑Saharan trade, and the country remains rich in music, storytelling, and nomadic heritage. Despite its cultural depth, Niger has undergone major political shifts in recent years, including a military transition and a realignment of regional alliances.
Visa issuance to U.S. citizens has been suspended or sharply limited, citing reciprocity and political tensions.
Mali
Mali is one of West Africa’s cultural giants — home to the legendary city of Timbuktu, the Niger River’s sweeping bends, and musical traditions that have influenced genres around the world. Its history is tied to powerful empires like Mali and Songhai, and its artisans, griots, and desert festivals remain globally admired. In recent years, however, Mali has faced political transitions, security challenges, and shifting international partnerships.
Similar to Niger, Mali is adopting the reciprocal diplomatic measures and limited visa processing for Americans and is also said to have heightened scrutiny.
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is a culturally vibrant West African nation known for its warm hospitality, dynamic art and music scene, and deep Mossi traditions. Its landscapes range from savanna plains to lively market cities like Ouagadougou and Bobo‑Dioulasso, both hubs of film, dance, and artisan craftsmanship. Despite its rich cultural identity, the country has faced years of political upheaval and security challenges, especially in its northern and eastern regions. Burkina Faso is also suspending tourist visas for U.S. citizens as reciprocity.
North Korea
There aren’t many U.S. citizens who probably even want to go to North Korea, but for the extremely curious, adventurous, and also people like me with a goal of experiencing every country, it is still on the to-go list.
For a long time now though, U.S. passports cannot be used for independent travel; visits only occur as part of tightly controlled, approved delegations and require U.S. Department of State validation in most cases. There used to be some low-key day trips that allow you to cross the border from South Korea, but the gov halted that several years ago.
Enjoy Videos? Check out my vlog about travel bans in 2026!
Countries with Partial Travel Bans in 2026
Here’s a different type of travel ban — the kind that still makes it possible to travel, but it’s a lot harder and usually requires approval or even a letter of invitation!
You cannot just go to any of these places as a tourist and do whatever you want. You need permission, an organized tour, and where you can go might be limited.
Here’s some of the countries with partial travel bans in 2026:
Cuba
Cuba is the country where my ancestors are from, and I am deeply passionate and sensitive about travels there. Yes, it is beautiful, fun, and “whimsically stuck in the past”, but the Cuban people suffer drastically because of it. If you go to Cuba, please fully support the locals through purchases, donations, and amplifying their voices.
U.S. citizens are technically prohibited from going to Cuba, but “just for tourist purposes”. They cannot stay at or spend money at any establishment (like hotels) that are owned by the government. If they are caught doing so, the new Trump rules state a fine of $250,000.
You can still go to Cuba however, as long as you have a tour with activities that abide by one of the 12 approved reasons for travel there, such as “Support for the Cuban People”.
Please check out my many blog posts about Cuba for information on how to travel there legally, legitimately, and safely!
- 10 Tips for Traveling Solo in Cuba
- 15 Travel Fails to Avoid in Cuba
- How to Get a Visa for Cuba
- The REAL Cuba: In Their Voices [VIDEO]
Iran
Tourist visas typically require a confirmed itinerary and sponsorship from an Iranian tour operator or travel agency; solo independent travel is difficult and usually requires a local sponsor. U.S. citizens face additional vetting and higher risk of delays or denial due to currently political conflicts.
U.S. citizens, especially women, who are not familiar with the current political/religions customs for women face an increased risk of traveling to Iran and Afghanistan, where full body coverage including hijabs are mandatory.
Recent violence between the government and civilians, where protestors are being executed by the thousands, along with Trump’s threats to attack Iran again, have also highly increased the risks for U.S. travelers to go there.
Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan is one of the most fascinating, bizarre, and difficult countries that I’ve ever entered. It requires an official tour that must submit your information for prior government approval and an official letter of invitation.
Areas that tourists can access is very limited. I traveled to Turkmenistan solo, and getting the LOI was easy, however actually getting the visa at the land border was very tedious and took around 3 hours! It’s worth it though to see the now-dwindling Door to Hell, and the extremely peculiar all-white city of Ashgabat.
Check out my blog posts about Turkmenistan here: Turkmenistan: 11 Bizarre Yet Beautiful Things to Experience
Russia
Tourist visas require a tourist voucher/confirmation issued by a Russian travel company or authorized accommodation and an official invitation; visitors must enter on the specified itinerary. For U.S. citizens, visa processing can be politicized and subject to reciprocal diplomatic measures. AKA, they may deny you simply for being from the U.S.
Bhutan
Typically, Bhutan is well known for the famous Tiger’s Nest Temple, but there’s so much more to see and learn about! I traveled to Bhutan solo and found it was incredibly safe, pristine, and one of the most well-preserved traditional cultures. This preservation takes a lot of effort, which can be seen in the government’s strict measures to control selective tourism.
All visitors in general must book through an authorized tour operator, pay the mandatory Sustainable Development Fee, and obtain government permits; independent travel is not possible. A daily visitor fee is also implemented here, and it’s pretty expensive!
Here’s all of my blogs about Bhutan:
- 27 Bhutan Fun Facts That Will Shock You
- Bhutan’s Tiger’s Nest Temple Travel Tips No One Tells You
- 15 Bhutan Tour Highlights Besides Tiger’s Nest
Algeria
I tried to go to Algeria last year on a whim, and although I had a tour company ready to sponsor me and give me the letter of invitation, there was no way I’d be able to pull it off last minute. The visa requires you to go into an actual embassy or consulate to submit your papers and get the visa, and it can take several weeks to do it!
Venezuela
U.S. citizens can still travel to Venezuela, but the process is heavily restricted. Because the U.S. Embassy in Caracas is closed, Americans must apply for a visa outside the United States, often in places like Mexico or the Dominican Republic, and approvals can be slow or inconsistent.
Once in the country, travelers face serious safety concerns, frequent checkpoints, and no reliable U.S. consular support. There’s no official ban on Americans entering Venezuela, but the combination of difficult visa access, no U.S. diplomatic presence, and Level 4 “Do Not Travel” warnings make visiting extremely challenging in practice.
I heard from a Venezuelan friend recently that with the recent capture of Maduro, there is high hopes that entering Venezuela will be a lot easier for travelers, however it still remains very dangerous due to civil unrest.
Countries Effectively Closed to Tourists as of 2026 Because of War, Conflict, or Extreme Instability
These places carry Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisories and are not practical destinations for leisure travel. Several websites state that the borders are “closed to tourists”, however if you qualify for certain reasons to travel, you may be admitted entry.
- Syria — Ongoing conflict, very high risk of kidnapping and violence.
- Afghanistan — Active insurgency and terrorism; no routine consular services.
- Yemen — Civil war and military operations; travel life‑threatening.
- Palestine — Active conflict and humanitarian crisis; tourist travel impossible.
- Libya — Fragmented control, militia violence, kidnapping risk.
- Somalia — Terrorism, piracy, clan violence; large areas unsafe.
- Sudan and South Sudan — Widespread violence and instability.
- Ukraine — Front‑line conflict areas closed to tourists.
- D.R. Congo — Technically not closed, but certain regions are completely off limits.
Plot Twist: Countries Banned from Entering the U.S.
If you’re catching the gist of this post and of my ongoing point that politics has a lot to do with travel, you’ll get why knowing this list of countries banned from entering the U.S. is important.
Something highly important I’ve learned from traveling for the last 12 years, is that most people in other countries are kind, good people. They welcome and appreciate travelers, and want them to experience their country and culture.
However, with Trump’s second term going the way that it is, I have to admit that I’ve now been seeing a mix of welcoming, suspicious, pity, and resentment. So be sure to keep this list in mind, as well as anything else that the US government has done recently to these countries, before you go there!
Here are the countries with a full or partial bans for entering the U.S. :
| FULL U.S. ENTRY BANS (20 total) | PARTIAL U.S. ENTRY BANS (19 total) |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Angola |
| Burma (Myanmar) | Antigua and Barbuda |
| Burkina Faso | Benin |
| Chad | Burundi |
| Republic of the Congo | Côte d’Ivoire |
| Equatorial Guinea | Cuba |
| Eritrea | Dominica |
| Haiti | Gabon |
| Iran | The Gambia |
| Laos | Malawi |
| Libya | Mauritania |
| Mali | Nigeria |
| Niger | Senegal |
| Sierra Leone | Tanzania |
| Somalia | Togo |
| South Sudan | Tonga |
| Sudan | Venezuela |
| Syria | Zambia |
| Yemen | Zimbabwe |
| Palestine |
Practical Travel Tips for U.S. Citizens in 2026:
As someone who has been denied entry to a country for assuming there was visa on arrival (Ethiopia), and missed flights for not having a visa for a layover country, I can tell you some practical travel trips for 2026. Especially with all these new bans, changes, and shifts in feelings about people from the U.S.
- Verify the destination’s embassy/consulate visa rules and on the country’s official website before booking anything. You don’t want to find out it’s impossible to get a visa after you’ve booked flights and hotels!
2. For countries that require an official tour, voucher, or invitation (Iran, Russia, Bhutan, North Korea, Turkmenistan), book through an authorized operator well in advance and keep confirmations handy for your visa application. Don’t pay for anything until you get the visa!
3. Once your visa is confirmed, and you are booking flights, make sure to check for any additional layover visa requirements, such as proof of ongoing flight or hotel, or if something needs to be printed.
4. Check the latest news platforms IN the country you are going to or look up local influencers to see what they are posting about. This will give you an accurate idea about how the people there feel towards U.S. citizens. Most of the time, the people dislike the government, and understand that the travelers are mostly innocent, but some countries can dislike everyone in general.
5. Expect rules to change quickly — check immediately before departure.
Please don’t forget! I work extremely hard to produce these free travel guides and posts! If it helped you, or you enjoyed it, PLEASE give it a share on social media, and follow me to keep up with more posts! You’re two minutes of effort truly helps keep my business running! Thank ya!
xx, Alyssa
