TORONTO The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies & Travel Advisors (ACTA) is helping to clarify the implications of a new U.S. Executive Order signed by President Trump on June 4, 2025.
The order, which takes effect on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 12:01 a.m., includes a travel ban on citizens of 12 countries and imposes restrictions on visitors from seven others.
In a special bulletin, ACTA outlines the two levels of restrictions as follows:
Full suspension of 12 countries:
- Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen
- Complete ban on all visa types, both immigrant and non-immigrant
Partial suspension of 7 countries:
- Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela
- All immigrant visas banned
- Specific non-immigrant visas banned: B-1/B-2 (tourism/business), F (academic students), M (vocational students), J (exchange visitors)
- Other visa types allowed but with reduced validity periods
ACTA notes that clients must be inside the United States before this deadline to avoid restrictions. Existing valid visas issued before June 9 will not be revoked. Anyone outside the U.S. without a valid visa on June 9 will be subject to the ban.
Dual nationals are exempt if travelling on a passport from a non-banned country. For example, an Iranian-Canadian travelling on a Canadian passport is allowed, an Iranian-Canadian travelling on an Iranian passport is prohibited, a Haitian-Canadian travelling on a Canadian passport is allowed, and a Cuban-Canadian travelling on a Canadian passport is allowed. The passport used for travel determines eligibility – not the person’s nationalities.
WHO IS NOT AFFECTED
The ban does not apply to:
- US lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders)
- People already inside the US
- Holders of valid visas issued before June 9, 2025
- Diplomatic visa holders (A-1, A-2, G visas, NATO visas)
- Athletes/teams traveling for major sporting events
- Certain family-based immigrant visas
TRANSIT & CRUISE PASSENGERS
The ban applies even when transiting through U.S. airports. Affected nationals cannot transit through the U.S. to reach other destinations.
Cruises with U.S. ports will also be impacted. Affected nationals may be denied boarding even if the cruise doesn’t originate in the U.S.
PRE-EXISTING BOOKINGS
ACTA recommends reviewing force majeure clauses and travel insurance policies. The ban may qualify as a covered reason for cancellation.
