US Adds New Screening for Travelers From 39 Countries Starting December 2025

New US entry rules will affect travelers from 39 countries. This is a big change from previous years, making it harder to get a visa.
By Newsroom | Immigration, United States |

The United States is rolling out significantly enhanced screening and vetting protocols for foreign nationals seeking entry. This move, rooted in Presidential Proclamations 10949 and 10998, directly impacts individuals from 39 countries deemed to lack sufficient data for thorough vetting. The core aim is to bolster national security and public safety by identifying and barring those who might pose a risk. This initiative is driven by concerns over identified security gaps and the potential exploitation of immigration laws for "malevolent purposes," as outlined in Executive Order 14161.

USCIS officials state a commitment to the "integrity of the immigration system" and will continue to "strengthen our screening and vetting procedures to ensure maximum protection for national security and public safety, and to root out fraud." This translates to a more rigorous examination of visa applicants, with expectations of longer processing times, additional documentation requests, and more in-depth background checks. For individuals from designated high-risk countries, this could mean additional entry restrictions, longer waits, or outright visa suspensions. The State Department has also signaled a comprehensive vetting of all student and exchange visitor applicants (F, M, and J classifications), including reviews of their online presence.

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Vetting Reaches Beyond Borders

The intensified scrutiny extends to individuals already within the United States. A new policy memorandum, effective from December 2025, allows for "negative, country-specific factors" to be considered when foreign nationals from certain designated countries face vetting for any U.S. immigration benefit. This applies to those listing a designated high-risk country as their birth or citizenship origin, with an immigration benefit application pending. Effectively, an applicant's country of origin or citizenship can now be a direct factor in the denial or restriction of their immigration benefits. The administration is also exploring the removal of foreign nationals identified as risks, unless doing so would impede ongoing investigations or national security interests.

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Concerns Fueling Restrictions

The shift towards stricter vetting appears to be fueled by statistics concerning visa overstays. Reports highlight specific countries with notable overstay rates. For instance, Syria reportedly has a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 7.09 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 9.34 percent. Mauritania shows a B-1/B-2 overstay rate of 9.49 percent. In Zimbabwe, the B-1/B-2 overstay rate is 7.89 percent, with F, M, and J visas at 15.15 percent. Tanzania records an 8.30 percent B-1/B-2 overstay rate and a 13.97 percent rate for F, M, and J visas. Senegal has a 4.30 percent B-1/B-2 overstay rate, but its F, M, and J visa overstay rate is 13.07 percent.

Broader Policy Landscape

This wave of enhanced screening is underpinned by a series of executive actions. Executive Order 14161, published in early 2025, directs federal agencies to improve immigration screening and vetting. It emphasizes a policy to protect citizens from individuals intending to "commit terrorist attacks, threaten [US] national security, espouse hateful ideology, or otherwise exploit the immigration laws for malevolent purposes." The order calls for a return to more stringent procedures and an evaluation of visa programs to ensure they are not exploited. It also mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to take steps to remove foreign nationals deemed a risk. The directive extends to evaluating assimilation programs for lawful immigrants and recommending additional measures to promote "a unified American identity and attachment to the Constitution, laws, and founding principles of the United States."

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The implementation of these changes, particularly the inclusion of country-specific negative factors and the potential impact on pending applications, represents a significant shift in the U.S. approach to foreign national screening. The rationale provided centers on national security, public safety, and the integrity of the immigration system, though the practical implications for applicants and the potential for increased processing backlogs remain areas of considerable focus.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is the US adding new screening for travelers from 39 countries starting December 2025?
The US is adding new screening to improve national security. This affects people from 39 countries that don't share enough data for full checks. The goal is to stop people who might be a risk from entering the country.
Q: How will the new US screening rules affect people from the 39 countries starting December 2025?
People from these countries may face longer waits for visas, need to give more documents, and have deeper background checks. Some might even get extra entry limits or visa delays.
Q: Can people already in the US from these countries be affected by new rules in December 2025?
Yes, a new policy from December 2025 will look at a person's country of origin. If it's one of the 39 countries, it could affect their application for any US immigration benefit.
Q: Are student and exchange visitor visas (F, M, J) included in the new US screening rules?
Yes, the US will check all student and exchange visitor visa applicants more closely. This includes looking at their social media and online activity.
Q: What are the main reasons the US is increasing screening for foreign nationals?
The US is increasing screening due to concerns about national security and people staying longer than allowed on visas. Some countries have high rates of visa overstays, like Syria and Zimbabwe.