You’ve got probably seen the headlines over the past yr or so — one thing alongside the traces of “America bans one other nation”.
Proper or incorrect, many people have a tendency to show a blind eye to those headlines, regardless of how eye-catching they’re, since they do not immediately have an effect on us.
However what’s been misplaced within the combine is that Individuals are certainly banned from visiting a handful of nations scattered throughout the globe as properly.
Sure — actually banned — which means both the usgovernment forbids residents from getting into or the nation itself refuses to allow entry to American passport holders.
Right here at Journey Off Path, we have reported on quite a few no-go locations, both from our personal distaste as seasoned vacationers or Stage 4 State Division-issued advisories extremely urging Individuals 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, Individuals are prohibited from visiting the next 3 nations in a single type or one other. Let’s dive in, lets?
North Korea: Thanks, Captain Apparent
Except you are Dennis Rodman, you could not have any want to go to what’s often called the “Hermit Kingdom”, however hear us out…
Individuals have formally been banned from getting 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 regardless of which borders you end up in, vacationers are anticipated to respect native legal guidelines anyplace on the planet. U.S. officers have lengthy warned that Individuals face an unusually excessive danger of arbitrary detention in North Korea, usually with out entry to due course of or consular providers.
Because of this, the U.S. authorities forbids residents from getting into North Korea to today. In their very own phrases, this choice is pushed by “the intense danger of arrest and long-term detention”.
For the reason that 2017 ban, North Korea has reopened for excursions, even holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a surprisingly spectacular new seaside resort final yr.
However Individuals is not going to have an opportunity to go to even when they dared because the U.S. prolonged this ban till August 2026.
The closest you possibly can presently 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 type 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 probably face harsh penalties.
Individuals are technically prevented from vacationing in Cuba, which means for those who do wish to go to this timeworn Caribbean paradise, it’s a must to do some additional planning (and maybe even convincing).
You see, the present Administration issued a 5-year ban on Individuals vacationing right here, whereas additionally understanding Cuba thrives on tourism, given their stringent authorities.
By the way in which, 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 folks” as a cause to go to and e book an Airbnb to align with my reasoning.
However have a look at babyfaced me — he certain appears to be like like he is on “trip” (for those who catch my drift).
Kidding apart, with the intention to legally go to Cuba in accordance with present coverage, you will need to declare one in all 12 classes discovered right here.
For the document, I used to be by no means questioned for claiming “Help for the Cuban Individuals” at any time.
Niger: Visas No Longer Issued To Individuals
Look, we get it — it is extremely unlikely many Individuals are scoping out Niger as a trip vacation spot any time quickly.
This off-path African nation is one in all the aforementioned Stage 4 locations we talked about…
Whereas each nation has its personal distinctive enchantment, we cannot fake Niger is the most recent up-and-coming African nation — that may be Algeria.
Nonetheless, Niger (together with Chad) has carried out ‘tit-for-tat’ bans on U.S. vacationers regardless of definitely needing an financial enhance.
Niger is among the nations 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 accordance 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 america”.
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 nonetheless permitting 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 insurance policies, refusing to honor entry to U.S. residents. Full particulars aren’t but accessible.
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