Understanding Section 212(f) Visa Rejections in 2026

What is Section 212(f)?

Section 212(f) is a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) that gives the president authority to suspend or restrict the entry of certain foreign nationals when their entry is believed to be “detrimental to the interests of the United States.”

That means the president allows immigration officials in the State Department, USCIS, and CBP to refuse certain visas based solely on an individual’s nationality.

Through 2026, President Trump has invoked Section 212(f) multiple times to restrict immigrants and nonimmigrants, citing visa overstay rates, lack of cooperation on accepting repatriations, and counterterrorism among some of his reasons.

Why was my visa denied under 212(f)?

If your visa was denied under INA §212(f), your application falls within a category of people who are currently restricted from entering the U.S. This usually happens for one of the following reasons:

• Your country of nationality is included in a ban under Section 212(f).
• Your country of residence is included in a ban under Section 212(f).
• You recently travelled to countries subject to restrictions.
• The specific visa category you applied for is suspended.
• Your case triggered security or public policy considerations outlined in a 212(f) proclamation.

What countries are restricted by 212(f)?

Currently, entry for nationals from 20 countries is fully suspended under 212(f) travel bans. Nationals from another 20 countries face partial restrictions.

Countries fully suspended from entry

Foreign nationals who are from or have travel documents from the following 20 countries are barred from entering the U.S. as of Jan. 1, 2026. The ban applies to both immigrants and nonimmigrants, with limited exceptions.

• Afghanistan
• Burkina Faso
• Burma (Myanmar)
• Chad
• Republic of the Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Haiti
• Iran
• Laos
• Libya
• Mali
• Niger
• Palestinian Authority (including documents issued for both the West Bank and Gaza)
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• Sudan
• Syria
• Yemen

Countries with immigrant visa restrictions (Green Cards)

Starting Jan. 21, 2026, the Department of State announced a pause on new immigrant visas (Green Cards) for nationals from the following countries:

Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan), Lebanon, Liberia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkmenistan (effective Jan. 1, 2026), Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan.

The U.S. will increase review of these immigrant visas to ensure applicants are not likely to become public charges, though it says you can still attend and schedule visa interviews.

Travel visas, other nonimmigrant visas, and immigrant visas that have already been issued aren’t affected by this travel ban. Certain children being adopted by Americans can also still qualify for immigrant visas.

Countries with partial entry restrictions

Foreign nationals from the following countries face limits on both immigrant visas (Green Cards) and nonimmigrant visas—especially tourist and student visas. They also face shorter visa validity periods, but not a total ban. Limitations took effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

• Angola
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Benin
• Burundi
• Cote d’Ivoire
• Cuba
• Dominica
• Gabon
• The Gambia
• Malawi
• Mauritania
• Nigeria
• Senegal
• Tanzania
• Togo
• Tonga
• Venezuela
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

If you’re a national of one of these countries, we recommend talking to either an immigration attorney or an official at your consulate or embassy to understand your full visa options.

Who is exempt from 212(f) travel bans?

Certain types of visas and foreign nationals are exempt from the current travel bans, even if the visa holder or applicant is from a country listed above:

• Current lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders)
• Ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran
• Refugees and asylees
• Dual nationals who apply with a passport from a non-restricted nationality
• Participants in the World Cup, Olympics, and select major sporting events
• Travelers on diplomatic and official visas
• Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for U.S. government employees

Note that President Trump’s June 2025 proclamation still allowed immigration for certain family members under immediate relative visas, but the Dec. 2025 update removed eligibility under that category.

Can a 212(f) visa rejection be overturned?

A 212(f) visa denial generally can’t be appealed in the traditional sense because it is based on a presidential proclamation, and not by an assessment of your credentials and eligibility by USCIS.

Some applicants may qualify for a waiver called the National Interest Exception (NIE), which allows you to bypass travel restrictions if you can prove that your presence in the U.S. would benefit the country. You will have to provide evidence and documents that the purpose of your travel, but the exact documents you need vary by case. NIEs are given at the discretion of immigration officials, so there is no guarantee you will get one.

Who can qualify for a waiver?

Below are some potential examples of individuals who might qualify for an NIE, but approval isn’t guaranteed:

• A doctor traveling to the United States to provide specialized care or help with public health efforts
• A researcher or scientist whose work supports important government, medical, or national security initiatives
• A skilled worker in a critical industry whose role is essential to a U.S. company or project
• A government advisor or contractor whose presence is necessary for U.S. national security or public policy work

If you believe you could qualify for a National Interest Exception to a 212(f) travel ban, talk to an immigration attorney about how to build the strongest possible case.

Can I reapply for a visa after a 212(f) rejection?

You can reapply for a visa after a 212(f) rejection, but reapplying without a change in eligibility or a qualifying waiver is unlikely to result in approval.

The latest 212(f) proclamation from President Trump has no set expiration date, so the restrictions remain in effect unless the government chooses to update or lift them. That means it probably isn’t worth the cost or effort to reapply unless the policy affecting your country changes, the circumstances leading to your rejection have changed, or you believe you qualify for a waiver, such as for a national interest or humanitarian reason.

Get answers to your 212(f) questions

Immigration law is complex, and visa restrictions under Section 212(f) can change regularly. The best way to stay up-to-date on legal changes and to create an immigration plan tailored to your situation is to talk with an experienced immigration attorney.

At Manifest Law, our attorneys work with visa applicants worldwide to understand past visa rejections and to pursue the best available visa options, whether that’s a national interest exception or another path

👉 Request a consultation with Manifest Law’s experienced immigration lawyers now.

FAQs for 212(f) visa rejections

What is a 212(f) visa refusal?

A 212(f) visa refusal happens when a visa is denied because a presidential proclamation restricts the entry of certain foreign nationals into the U.S. These visa refusals are based on specific restrictions under Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, not a visa’s usual eligibility criteria.

What are common reasons for a 212(f) visa rejection?

In 212(f) cases, visa rejection is generally tied to your nationality. More broadly, a visa application can be rejected for missing documents, failing to meet eligibility requirements, prior immigration violations, national security concerns, or health-related inadmissibility issues.

What is a Section 212 visa refusal?

Section 212 of the INA contains multiple categories of visa refusal. Other examples include 212(a)(4) refusals when you’re found likely to become a public charge, 212(a)(6)(C)(i) refusals for immigration fraud or misrepresentation, and 212(a)(9)(B)(i) refusal after unlawful presence in the U.S. Some categories offer potential waivers, which an immigration lawyer can help you understand.

What is a 221(g) visa refusal?

A 221(g) visa refusal means your visa cannot be approved yet because the consular officer needs additional documents or your case requires further review. It is not a permanent denial and you may be approved once the requested information is reviewed or when administrative processing is completed.