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      On June 4, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a proclamation titled “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats”.1  The proclamation restricts the ability of foreign nationals from 19 countries to enter the United States.2  The order takes effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on June 9, 2025, and the stated aims are to prevent the entry into the U.S. of foreign nationals from the listed countries who may pose a terrorism risk, threaten national security, jeopardize public safety, or abuse immigration laws.3

      The proclamation issued by President Trump on June 4, fully suspends both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa issuance for foreign nationals from 12 named countries, and suspends immigrant visa issuance and issuance of nonimmigrant visas in the B, F, M, and J categories for nationals of seven other countries.4  The proclamation does not order the revocation of U.S. visas issued to citizens of restricted countries prior to June 9, 2025.5

      The proclamation includes certain exceptions, as well as provisions for review and updates every 90 days.6  Notably, the proclamation directs agencies to review the screening and vetting procedures of Egypt, signaling that Egyptian nationals may be subject to U.S. entry restrictions in the foreseeable future.7

      WHY THIS MATTERS

      The travel ban taking effect on June 9, will affect U.S. employers by potentially making it more difficult to hire, relocate to the U.S., and retain foreign workers from restricted countries.

      Foreign nationals of partially restricted countries who are seeking entry to the U.S. in non-prohibited visa categories can also expect to see reduced visa validity periods, as the proclamation taking effect on June 9, 2025, orders consular officers to reduce visa validity to the extent permitted by law.8

      Employers are advised to seek the advice of their immigration counsel to discuss the specific immigration strategy for employees and their family members impacted by the proclamation.

      Affected Countries 

      Fully-Restricted Countries 

      The aforementioned proclamation completely suspends U.S. entry for nationals of the following countries:

      Afghanistan

      Iran

      Burma (Myanmar)

      Libya

      Chad

      Republic of the Congo

      Equatorial Guinea

      Somalia

      Eritrea

      Sudan

      Haiti

      Yemen9

       

      Partially-Restricted Countries 

      The proclamation issued on June 4, suspends U.S. entry for immigrants and certain nonimmigrants in the B-1, B-2, F, M, and J categories from the following countries:

      Burundi

      Togo

      Cuba

      Turkmenistan

      Laos

      Venezuela10

      Sierra Leone

       

       

      Exceptions

      The proclamation of June 4, does not apply to:

      • Foreign nationals from an impacted country who currently hold a valid U.S. visa issued before June 9, 2025.
      • Foreign nationals from an impacted country who are in the U.S. in lawful status as of June 9, 2025.
      • U.S. permanent residents.
      • Dual citizens entering the U.S. with a passport issued by a non-restricted country.
      • Individuals entering with an immediate relative immigrant visa (IR-1/CR-1; IR-2/CR-2, IR-5).
      • Athletes, coaches, “persons performing a necessary supporting role, and immediate relatives traveling” for major sporting events, as determined by the secretary of state.
      • Individuals entering the U.S. with certain other immigrant visas:
        • Adoption (IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, IH-4);
        • Afghan Special Immigrant Visas;
        • Special Immigrant Visas for U.S. government employees; and
        • “Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran.”
      • Exceptions determined by the attorney general, in coordination with the secretary of state and the secretary of homeland security, for foreign nationals whose travel is determined to advance a critical U.S. national interest involving the Department of Justice.
      • Foreign nationals whose travel is to serve a U.S. national interest, as determined by the secretary of state, in coordination with the secretary of homeland security.
      • Asylees and refugees already admitted to the United States.
      • Foreign nationals granted withholding of removal or protection under the Convention against Torture (CAT).11

       

      KPMG INSIGHTS

      • Nationality-based travel bans were implemented by executive order during President Trump’s first term (2017-2021).12  These travel bans were subject to legal challenge, but the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately held that the president has broad power to suspend entry of foreign nationals due to national security concerns.13  The Court also held that laws prohibiting nationality-based discrimination do not limit the president’s power to determine who may enter the United States.14
      • Nationals of the countries facing restrictions on U.S. entry as of June 9, 2025, should consult with legal counsel to determine specifically how the restrictions will impact them.
      • The U.S. Department of State is expected to issue guidance on the implementation of the proclamation, including details of how to apply for a stated exception.
      • The proclamation is not expected to impact change or extension of status filings submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
      • Given the fluidity of the travel ban, it is advisable for anyone impacted by the proclamation to enter the U.S. with a valid visa before June 9, 2025.  We further recommend that anyone currently in the U.S. and subject to the proclamation consult with immigration counsel before departing the United States.
      •  Egyptian nationals should be prepared for potential U.S. entry restrictions.

      KPMG Law LLP in Canada is tracking this matter closely.  We will endeavor to keep readers of GMS Flash Alert posted on any important developments as and when they occur.

      FOOTNOTES:

      1  Proclamation, June 4, 2025, "Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats."

      The White House, “Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Restricts the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.”

      Readers may also wish to listen to (or read the transcript of) the State Department spokesperson answering questions relating to the proclamation at “Department Press Briefing – June 5, 2025,” with Thomas "Tommy" Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson, Washington, D.C., June 5, 2025.

      2  Ibid.

      3  Ibid.

      4  Ibid.

      5  Ibid.

      6  Ibid.

      7  Ibid.

      8  Ibid.

      9  Ibid.

      10  Ibid.

      11  Ibid.

      12  See GMS Flash Alert 2017-018, “United States – Travel Ban and Suspension of Visa Issuance for Seven Countries” (January 31, 2017).

      13  17-965 Trump v. Hawaii (06/26/2018).

      14 Ibid.

      Contacts

      laura-wong
      Laura Wong

      Manager, U.S. Immigration

      KPMG in Canada

      Elizabeth Nanton
      Elizabeth Nanton

      Partner and U.S. Immigration Practice Leader, KPMG Law LLP

      KPMG in Canada

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      * Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.

      The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Canada.

      GMS Flash Alert is a Global Mobility Services publication of the KPMG LLP Washington National Tax practice. The KPMG name and logo are trademarks used under license by the independent member firms of the KPMG global organization. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee and does not provide services to clients. No member firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.

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