Presidential Proclamation 10998, signed on 16 December 2025 and in effect since 12:01 a.m. US Eastern time on 1 January 2026, fully or partially suspends US visa issuance for nationals of 39 countries, plus anyone travelling on Palestinian Authority documents. It follows your nationality, not where you live, so a UAE residence visa does not take you out of it. If your passport is on the list, check your restriction level and the exceptions below before you fill in a DS-160 or pay any visa fee.
Below: the official list, what each level blocks, who is exempt, and what it means for people in the UAE, where routine US visa processing is currently not available.
Proclamation 10998 at a glance
| Item | What the official text says |
|---|---|
| Signed | 16 December 2025 |
| Published | Federal Register, 19 December 2025 (90 FR 59717) |
| In effect | 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, 1 January 2026 (Section 10) |
| Countries covered | 39 countries, plus travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority |
| Full suspension | 19 countries plus Palestinian Authority documents: all immigrant and nonimmigrant visas |
| Partial suspension | 19 countries: all immigrant visas plus B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M and J visas. Turkmenistan: immigrant visas only |
| Existing visas | Not revoked because of the proclamation (Section 8(c)) |
| Review | Every 180 days (Section 7) |
Why it matters for UAE residents
The proclamation applies to “nationals of the designated countries”. Your Emirates ID, your UAE employer and the years you have lived here do not change that.
It also sits on top of a second, separate issue. The US Mission to the UAE states that “routine visa processing is not available in the United Arab Emirates at this time” and that nonimmigrant applicants “should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence or nationality.” So a listed national in the UAE faces two questions: can a visa be issued to me at all, and where can I even be interviewed? Our guide to US visa appointment delays for UAE residents covers the second question in more detail.
Full list of affected countries and restriction levels
This table is taken from the text of Proclamation 10998 (Sections 2 to 5) and, for the four countries continued from the earlier order, from Proclamation 10949 of 4 June 2025, which set their terms. The State Department’s announcement uses the same three groups.
| Nationality or document | Restriction level | Visas suspended | Source in the proclamation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Full | All immigrant and nonimmigrant | Sec. 2, continued |
| Burma | Full | All immigrant and nonimmigrant | Sec. 2, continued |
| Chad | Full | All immigrant and nonimmigrant | Sec. 2, continued |
| Republic of the Congo | Full | All immigrant and nonimmigrant | Sec. 2, continued |
| Equatorial Guinea | Full | All immigrant and nonimmigrant | Sec. 2, continued |
| Eritrea | Full | All immigrant and nonimmigrant | Sec. 2, continued |
| Haiti | Full | All immigrant and nonimmigrant | Sec. 2, continued |
| Iran | Full | All immigrant and nonimmigrant | Sec. 2, continued |
| Libya | Full | All immigrant and nonimmigrant | Sec. 2, continued |
| Somalia | Full | All immigrant and nonimmigrant | Sec. 2, continued |
| Sudan | Full | All immigrant and nonimmigrant | Sec. 2, continued |
| Yemen | Full | All immigrant and nonimmigrant | Sec. 2, continued |
| Burkina Faso | Full | All immigrant and nonimmigrant | Sec. 4(a), new |
| Laos | Full | All immigrant and nonimmigrant | Sec. 4(b), was partial |
| Mali | Full | All immigrant and nonimmigrant | Sec. 4(c), new |
| Niger | Full | All immigrant and nonimmigrant | Sec. 4(d), new |
| Sierra Leone | Full | All immigrant and nonimmigrant | Sec. 4(e), was partial |
| South Sudan | Full | All immigrant and nonimmigrant | Sec. 4(f), new |
| Syria | Full | All immigrant and nonimmigrant | Sec. 4(g), new |
| Palestinian Authority travel documents | Full | All immigrant and nonimmigrant, for anyone travelling on documents issued or endorsed by the PA | Sec. 4(h), new |
| Burundi | Partial | Immigrant; B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, J | Sec. 3, continued |
| Cuba | Partial | Immigrant; B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, J | Sec. 3, continued |
| Togo | Partial | Immigrant; B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, J | Sec. 3, continued |
| Venezuela | Partial | Immigrant; B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, J | Sec. 3, continued |
| Angola | Partial | Immigrant; B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, J | Sec. 5(a), new |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Partial | Immigrant; B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, J | Sec. 5(b), new |
| Benin | Partial | Immigrant; B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, J | Sec. 5(c), new |
| Cote d’Ivoire | Partial | Immigrant; B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, J | Sec. 5(d), new |
| Dominica | Partial | Immigrant; B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, J | Sec. 5(e), new |
| Gabon | Partial | Immigrant; B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, J | Sec. 5(f), new |
| The Gambia | Partial | Immigrant; B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, J | Sec. 5(g), new |
| Malawi | Partial | Immigrant; B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, J | Sec. 5(h), new |
| Mauritania | Partial | Immigrant; B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, J | Sec. 5(i), new |
| Nigeria | Partial | Immigrant; B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, J | Sec. 5(j), new |
| Senegal | Partial | Immigrant; B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, J | Sec. 5(k), new |
| Tanzania | Partial | Immigrant; B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, J | Sec. 5(l), new |
| Tonga | Partial | Immigrant; B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, J | Sec. 5(m), new |
| Zambia | Partial | Immigrant; B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, J | Sec. 5(o), new |
| Zimbabwe | Partial | Immigrant; B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, J | Sec. 5(p), new |
| Turkmenistan | Partial (immigrant only) | Immigrant visas only. The earlier B, F, M and J suspension was lifted | Sec. 5(n) (modified) |
For every partially suspended country except Turkmenistan, the text adds that consular officers “shall reduce the validity for any other nonimmigrant visa issued” to its nationals “to the extent permitted by law”. So a work or other visa outside the B, F, M and J classes may still be possible, but with a shorter validity than before. See how US visa validity works.
Who is not affected
Section 6 limits the scope. The suspension applies only to nationals of the listed countries who were outside the United States on the effective date and did not hold a valid visa on that date. Section 6(b) then lists categorical exceptions:
- US lawful permanent residents (green card holders).
- Dual nationals travelling on a passport of a country that is not on the list.
- Holders of valid A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3, G-1 to G-4 and NATO-1 to NATO-6 visas (diplomatic and international organisation categories).
- Athletes and team members, including coaches, necessary support staff and immediate relatives, travelling for the World Cup, the Olympics or another major sporting event named by the Secretary of State. The text does not extend this to spectators or fans.
- Special Immigrant Visas for US government employees under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(D).
- Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran.
Section 8 adds that no visa issued before the effective date is revoked because of the proclamation, and that it does not apply to people already granted asylum or admitted as refugees by the United States.
National interest exceptions
Sections 6(d) to 6(f) allow case-by-case exceptions where the Attorney General, the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security finds that a person’s travel would serve a US national interest. On 28 January 2026 the Secretary of State delegated his part of this power to the Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs. These exceptions are discretionary. The official pages we checked publish no general application form for them.
Changes since publication
The country list has not been changed by a later proclamation as of our check on 24 September 2026. The dated changes around it are:
- 9 June 2025: the earlier Proclamation 10949 took effect, with 12 full and 7 partial countries.
- 16 December 2025: Proclamation 10998 signed. It keeps the 12 full countries, moves Laos and Sierra Leone from partial to full, adds 5 more full countries and Palestinian Authority documents, adds 15 partial countries, and narrows Turkmenistan to immigrant visas only. It also removes the broad exceptions for family immigrant visas and adoption visas that existed under Proclamation 10949.
- 23 December 2025: the State Department confirmed that adoption visas (IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, IH-4) are no longer a categorical exception, though a national interest exception may be considered.
- 28 January 2026 (published 11 February 2026): national interest authority delegated to the Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs.
- 2 February 2026: the State Department’s announcement page was last updated.
- 6 March 2026 (published 16 March 2026): authority for refugee-related national interest findings delegated to the Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees, and Migration.
Because Section 7 calls for a review every 180 days, the list can change. Always check the State Department and US Mission pages linked at the end before you act.
What a UAE resident from a listed country should do
- Check the passport you would travel on. Find your nationality in the table. If you hold a second passport from a country not on the list, the dual national exception may apply when you apply and travel on that passport. Note that Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica are themselves on the partial list.
- Match your visa type to your level. A Nigerian or Senegalese national in Dubai who wants a tourist or business visa (B-1/B-2) or a student visa (F, M, J) falls inside the suspension. A work visa in another class is not suspended but may come with shorter validity. A Syrian, Sudanese, Yemeni, Iranian or Afghan national faces a full suspension across all classes unless an exception applies.
- Check whether you already hold a valid visa. Visas issued before the effective date were not revoked. Entry is still decided by US border officers on arrival.
- Work out where you would be interviewed. Routine processing is not available in the UAE, and the State Department says applicants outside their country of nationality or residence “should expect to wait significantly longer for an appointment”. See our guide to booking a US visa appointment.
- Prepare documents only once the route is clear. If you are eligible, the usual B1/B2 visa requirements still apply in full.
What not to do
- Do not pay the visa application (MRV) fee before checking. The State Department lists the nonimmigrant application fee as non-refundable. It also says fees for applications made outside your country of nationality or residence “will not be refunded and cannot be transferred.” See our US visa cost guide for the official fee structure.
- Do not book a third-country appointment blindly. The suspension follows you to any embassy in any country.
- Do not hide a nationality. Answer every nationality question on the DS-160 truthfully. The proclamation specifically raises concerns about citizenship bought without residence.
- Do not pay anyone who promises a way around the proclamation. Only the US government can grant an exception.
- Do not assume an emergency overrides it. The US Mission handles genuine emergencies itself, with evidence, but the proclamation still applies unless an exception fits. Our urgent appointment page explains how emergency requests work.
Can I still apply?
Yes, technically. The State Department and the US Mission to the UAE both say applicants subject to the proclamation “may still submit visa applications” and attend interviews, but “may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission.” Unless an exception applies, a visa in a suspended category is not expected to be issued, so check first.
Common UAE nationalities that are not on the list
Many of our clients hold passports that do not appear in Proclamation 10998, including Indian, Pakistani, Egyptian, Jordanian, Lebanese, Filipino, Bangladeshi and Emirati passports. For these nationals the normal rules apply, along with the current appointment situation. See our guides for Pakistani, Egyptian, Jordanian and Lebanese nationals. Bangladeshi nationals should also read our note on the 2026 visa bond rule, which is a separate measure.
If you are unsure how the proclamation applies to your passport and visa type, contact our Dubai team. We check your situation against the official text before you spend anything on fees. The consulate decides every case.
Frequently asked questions
When did Proclamation 10998 take effect?
It was signed on 16 December 2025, published in the Federal Register on 19 December 2025, and took effect at 12:01 a.m. US Eastern Standard Time on 1 January 2026.
Does living in the UAE exempt me from Proclamation 10998?
No. It applies to nationals of the listed countries wherever they live. The exceptions cover things like green card status, a second non-listed passport, certain diplomatic visa classes and national interest findings.
I am Nigerian and live in Dubai. Can I get a US tourist visa?
Nigeria is on the partial list. B-1, B-2 and B-1/B-2 visitor visas and F, M and J student and exchange visas are suspended, along with immigrant visas. Other nonimmigrant visas are not suspended, but consular officers are told to reduce their validity. Unless an exception applies, a tourist visa is not expected to be issued.
Will my existing US visa be cancelled?
No. Section 8(c) says no visa issued before the effective date will be revoked because of the proclamation. Admission at the border is still decided by US officers on arrival.
I have two nationalities. Which passport should I use?
The exception covers dual nationals travelling on a passport of a country that is not on the list. Apply and travel on that passport, and declare all your nationalities truthfully on the DS-160.
Is Turkmenistan still restricted for tourists?
No. Proclamation 10998 lifted the earlier suspension on B, F, M and J visas for Turkmen nationals. Only immigrant visas remain suspended.
Can the country list change?
Yes. Section 7 requires a review every 180 days. We found no amending proclamation as of 24 September 2026, but check the official pages before applying.
Sources and official references
All sources checked 24 September 2026.
- Federal Register, Proclamation 10998, 90 FR 59717, 19 December 2025: federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/19/2025-23570 (full text via govinfo.gov)
- The White House, Proclamation of 16 December 2025: whitehouse.gov
- Federal Register, Proclamation 10949, 90 FR 24497, 10 June 2025 (terms for Burundi, Cuba, Togo, Venezuela): federalregister.gov/documents/2025/06/10/2025-10669
- US Department of State, Suspension of Visa Issuance to Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States (last updated 2 February 2026): travel.state.gov
- US Department of State, Presidential Proclamation 10998 and intercountry adoption (last updated 23 December 2025): travel.state.gov
- US Department of State, Adjudicating Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants in Their Country of Residence (last updated 15 July 2026): travel.state.gov
- US Department of State, Fees for Visa Services: travel.state.gov
- US Embassy and Consulate in the UAE, Visas (updated 18 September 2026): ae.usembassy.gov/visas
- Federal Register, Delegation of Authority 614, 11 February 2026: federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/11/2026-02762
- Federal Register, Delegation of Authority 617, 16 March 2026: federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/16/2026-05085
