The US immigration landscape has just shifted dramatically. Late in 2025, the US administration announced a significant expansion of its travel ban list and introduced rigorous new vetting procedures that affect everyone applying for a visa—not just those from banned nations.

If you are planning a trip to the USA, whether for business, tourism, or study, you need to understand these new rules. Ignoring them could result in an instant visa denial or even a permanent ban.

The "Expanded" Travel Ban List (Late 2025)

The US has expanded its entry restrictions to include several new countries, primarily across Africa and the Middle East. These restrictions vary from full bans (no visas issued) to partial restrictions (student/tourist visas suspended).

Newly Added Full Restriction Countries:

  • Burkina Faso

  • Mali

  • Niger

  • South Sudan

  • Syria

  • Palestinian Authority Passport Holders

Countries with New Partial Restrictions:

  • Nigeria (Watch list for heightened scrutiny)

  • Senegal

  • Tanzania

  • Zimbabwe

  • Angola

What This Means: If you hold a passport from a "Full Restriction" country, you are generally ineligible for a US visa unless you qualify for a very specific waiver (e.g., diplomatic). If you are from a "Partial Restriction" country, expect significantly longer processing times, mandatory administrative processing (221g), and higher denial rates.

The 5-Year Social Media Rule

This is the change that catches most applicants off guard.

The Requirement: On your visa application form (DS-160), you are now mandatorily required to disclose every social media handle you have used in the last 5 years.

  • Platforms: Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, and more.

  • Privacy Settings: The US Department of State has instructed consular officers to review public profiles. Setting your profile to "Private" after applying might look suspicious, but officers generally only inspect what is publicly visible or request you to "unlock" it during an interview if flagged.

The "Trap": Consular officers are using AI tools to scan your public history for:

  1. Immigrant Intent: Did you tweet about "moving to NYC forever" in 2021?

  2. Illegal Work: Did you post about "looking for babysitting gigs" while on a tourist visa in Florida?

  3. Security Risks: Any content that could be interpreted as anti-American or supporting flagged groups.

One forgotten post from 4 years ago can lead to a denial under Section 214(b).

Enhanced Vetting for Everyone

Even if you aren't from a banned country, the "extreme vetting" protocols have trickled down to standard tourist applications.

  • 15-Year Travel History: You may be asked to list every international trip you've taken in the last 15 years (previously 5).

  • Email & Phone History: You must list all email addresses and phone numbers used in the last 5 years. This allows them to link you to old accounts you might have "forgotten" to declare.

How NAC Travel Protects Your Application

In this stricter environment, a "DIY" application is risky. We provide a shield against these new pitfalls:

  • Digital Footprint Audit: We advise you on how to review your public social media presence to ensure it aligns with your visa application (e.g., ensuring your LinkedIn "Open to Work" status doesn't contradict your "Tourist" visa intent).

     
    Restriction Check: We verify if your specific passport or dual-citizenship status triggers any of the new 2025 bans.

  • DS-160 Precision: We ensure every phone number and email is correctly listed to match the US database records, preventing "misrepresentation" bans.

The rules have changed. Don't let an old tweet or a misunderstood policy block your American dream.