The administration of former President Donald Trump has ushered in a significant tightening of US immigration policy as the new year begins. A major expansion of the controversial travel ban, announced in December, has now taken effect alongside increased fees for several key immigration applications.
Expanded Travel Ban: Full and Partial Restrictions
From January 1, 2026, nationals from a total of 39 countries face either full or partial restrictions on travel to the United States. The policy represents a substantial expansion of previous measures aimed at curbing immigration.
The full travel ban applies to individuals from Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Syria. Additionally, individuals holding travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority are included in this category. Effectively, people from these nations cannot obtain a US visa starting today.
A partial travel ban is now in place for citizens of Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The specific limitations for these countries vary based on visa categories.
Who Is Exempt from the New Ban?
The travel restrictions are not blanket measures. Important exemptions include nationals from all other countries not on the list. Crucially, the ban does not apply retroactively to individuals from the 39 listed countries who are already physically present in the United States as of January 1, 2026. Furthermore, those who already possess a valid US visa issued on or before this date can still travel. Other exempt categories include certain athletes, specific diplomats, and some dual nationals, as per the administration's guidelines.
Increased Costs: Revised Immigration Fees Take Effect
Simultaneously, a hike in fees for several immigration-related applications has been implemented. The new charges apply to any benefit request postmarked on or after January 1, 2026.
Key increases include the Annual Asylum Application Fee, which rises from $100 to $102, though this particular hike is currently stayed by a court order. Significant changes affect the Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. The fee for an Initial Asylum Applicant Employment Authorization Document (EAD) increases from $550 to $560. The same new fee of $560 applies for an Initial Parole EAD and an Initial Temporary Protected Status (TPS) EAD.
For renewal or extension applications, the fee for a Parole EAD or a TPS EAD rises from $275 to $280. The application fee for Form I-821, used for TPS, sees an increase from $500 to $510.
Fees That Remain Unchanged
Not all fees have been revised. The I-589 Asylum application fee stays at $100. The cost for renewing or extending an Asylum Applicant EAD (Form I-765) remains $275. The fee for the I-360 Special Immigrant Juvenile petition is also unchanged at $250.
The combined impact of the expanded travel ban and the increased financial burden of application fees marks a continued shift in the US approach to immigration and international travel under the policies set by the previous administration.
