American Travelers Are Banned From These 3 Countries For 2026

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You’ve got doubtless seen the headlines over the past yr or so — one thing alongside the strains of “America bans one other nation”.

Proper or incorrect, many people have a tendency to show a blind eye to those headlines, irrespective of how eye-catching they’re, since they do not straight have an effect on us.

However what’s been misplaced within the combine is that People are certainly banned from visiting a handful of nations scattered throughout the globe as nicely.

Sure — actually banned — which means both the united statesgovernment forbids residents from coming into or the nation itself refuses to allow entry to American passport holders.

Right here at Travel Off Path, we have reported on quite a few no-go locations, both from our own distaste as seasoned vacationers or Degree 4 State Division-issued advisories extremely urging People to keep away from sure locations in any respect prices.

However this class hits completely different since you do not have a alternative within the matter.

For 2026, People are prohibited from visiting the next 3 international locations in a single kind or one other. Let’s dive in, we could?

North Korea: Thanks, Captain Apparent 🇰🇵

Except you are Dennis Rodman, chances are you’ll not have any want to go to what’s referred to as the “Hermit Kingdom”, however hear us out…

People have formally been banned from coming into North Korea, probably the most remoted and tightly managed nations on Earth, since 2017, after the horror story of U.S. citizen Otto Warmbier being detained and tragically passing for causes nonetheless but to be formally decided.

In equity, we’ll allow you to play decide and jury, however irrespective of which borders you end up in, vacationers are anticipated to respect native legal guidelines anyplace on this planet. U.S. officers have lengthy warned that People face an unusually excessive danger of arbitrary detention in North Korea, usually with out entry to due course of or consular companies.

Consequently, the U.S. authorities forbids residents from coming into North Korea to today. In their very own phrases, this choice is pushed by “the intense danger of arrest and long-term detention”.

Because the 2017 ban, North Korea has reopened for excursions, even holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a surprisingly spectacular new seashore resort final yr.

However People is not going to have an opportunity to go to even when they dared because the U.S. extended this ban till August 2026.

The closest you’ll be able to at the moment get to respiratory North Korea’s smog-filled air is the well-known demilitarized zone (DMZ) in South Korea, however even then, we hear it is fairly tense!

Cuba: Trip Mode Deactivated 🇨🇺

Need to go to probably the most timeless locations on the planet the place Starbucks has but to damage colonial facades?

Then you definitely’re kind of in luck….

Cuba does welcome U.S. residents and does have resorts, however you should not name your self a “vacationer” in any respect at any time or you might doubtlessly face harsh penalties.

People are technically prevented from vacationing in Cuba, which means when you do wish to go to this timeworn Caribbean paradise, you must do some additional planning (and even perhaps convincing).

You see, the present Administration issued a 5-year ban on People vacationing right here, whereas additionally understanding Cuba thrives on tourism, given their stringent authorities.

By the best way, that is nothing new.

I had the pleasure of (minus excessive meals poisoning) visiting Havana in 2017, when decades-long icy tensions started to thaw, and I nonetheless needed to declare “Help for the Cuban individuals” as a cause to go to and ebook an Airbnb to align with my reasoning.

However take a look at babyfaced me — he certain appears to be like like he is on “trip” (when you catch my drift). 😉

Kidding apart, so as to legally go to Cuba in accordance with present coverage, you will need to declare one among 12 classes discovered here.

For the file, I used to be by no means questioned for claiming “Help for the Cuban Individuals” at any time.

Niger: Visas No Longer Issued To People 🇳🇪

Look, we get it — it is extremely unlikely many People are scoping out Niger as a trip vacation spot any time quickly.

This off-path African nation is one among the aforementioned Degree 4 locations we talked about…

Whereas each nation has its personal distinctive attraction, we cannot fake Niger is the most recent up-and-coming African nation — that might be Algeria.

Nevertheless, Niger (together with Chad) has applied ‘tit-for-tat’ bans on U.S. vacationers regardless of actually needing an financial increase.

Niger is among the international locations America has restricted as of late for the foreseeable future, and Niger has pulled the ol’ “if you are able to do it, I can do it” maneuver.

In keeping with our sources, an undisclosed diplomat was quoted as saying, Niger is totally and completely prohibiting the issuance of visas to all U.S. residents and indefinitely banning entry to its territory for nationals of the US”.

So, why is Chad not listed too?

That is a difficult one. Whereas Chad was one of many first to implement a ban on U.S. tourism for the exact same cause, it’s still allowing those that have been issued a visa earlier than June 9, 2025.

*Proper earlier than publishing, we found Mali and Burkina Faso are following swimsuit with their very own reciprocal policies, refusing to honor entry to U.S. residents. Full particulars should not but obtainable.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Author & Journalist primarily based in San Diego has visited 36 international locations and written over 1000 articles with a concentrate on sharing his personal journey experiences and shining a lightweight on lesser-known gems.