2026 Travel Ban Explained for Athletes

2026 Travel Ban Explained: Which Visas Are Blocked and Which Still Work for Athletes

PUBLISH DATE: February 2, 2026

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The Trump administration's expanded travel ban affects 39 countries with full or partial restrictions. But not all visas are blocked equally. Here's the complete breakdown for athletes.

Understanding the Three-Tier System

The 2026 travel restrictions operate on three levels, each affecting athletes differently.

Tier 1: Full Ban Countries (19 Nations)

Nationals of these countries cannot obtain ANY nonimmigrant visas, including O-1:

· Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burma (Myanmar), Chad

· Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti

· Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger

· Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen

· Palestinian Authority (travel documents not accepted)

For athletes from full ban countries: Options are extremely limited. Dual nationality (traveling on a non-banned passport), World Cup/Olympics exemptions, or case-by-case national interest waivers are the only pathways.

Tier 2: Partial Ban Countries (20 Nations)

These countries face restrictions on B, F, M, and J visas, but O-1 and P-1 visas can still be issued:

Africa: Nigeria, Angola, Benin, Burundi, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Americas: Cuba, Venezuela, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica

Pacific: Tonga

Central Asia: Turkmenistan

For athletes from partial ban countries: O-1 extraordinary ability visas remain your clearest path. Tourist visas for tryouts are blocked. Student visas for college athletics are blocked. O-1 works.

Tier 3: Immigrant Visa Pause (75 Countries)

The January 21, 2026 pause on immigrant visa processing affects green card applications but does NOT affect O-1 (nonimmigrant) processing.

Major sports markets on this list include:

· Brazil — football, MMA, volleyball

· Colombia — football, cycling

· Jamaica — track and field

· Thailand — Muay Thai, MMA

· Ghana — football

· Ethiopia — distance running

· Pakistan — cricket

· Russia — hockey, MMA, tennis

For athletes from these 75 countries: O-1 visas process normally. Green cards are frozen at consulates abroad. The strategy: secure O-1 now, enter the U.S., and adjust status to green card later once processing resumes.

Visa Status Quick Reference

Visa Type | Full Ban | Partial Ban | 75-Country Pause

O-1 (Extraordinary Ability) | ❌ Blocked | ✅ Available | ✅ Available

P-1 (Athletes/Teams) | ❌ Blocked | ✅ Available | ✅ Available

EB-1A (Green Card) | ❌ Blocked | ❌ Blocked | ❌ Blocked

B-1/B-2 (Tourist) | ❌ Blocked | ❌ Blocked | ✅ Available

F-1 (Student) | ❌ Blocked | ❌ Blocked | ✅ Available

Why O-1 Stands Out

Among work visas still available for athletes from affected countries, O-1 offers distinct advantages:

Immediate Work Authorization

O-1 allows you to compete, train, and earn in the United States as soon as status is granted.

Flexible Employer Structure

Unlike employer-specific visas, O-1 can be filed by agents on behalf of multiple employers, allowing athletes to work with teams, clubs, and private clients.

Indefinite Extensions

O-1 can be extended as long as you maintain extraordinary ability status — no arbitrary time limits.

Path to Green Card

O-1 holders in the U.S. can adjust status to permanent residence, bypassing the consular processing freeze.

Key Dates Athletes Should Know

Date | Event

January 1, 2026 | Expanded travel ban effective

January 21, 2026 | Immigrant visa processing pause (75 countries)

~June 2026 | Next 180-day policy review

The 180-day review is critical. Countries can be added to more restrictive lists. Athletes who secure O-1 status before the next review are protected regardless of future changes.

Exemptions for Major Events

Athletes traveling for specific major events have narrow exemptions:

2026 FIFA World Cup: Athletes, coaches, support staff, and immediate relatives traveling specifically for World Cup participation are exempt from travel ban restrictions.

2028 Olympics: Similar exemptions apply for Olympic participants.

Other Major Events: The Secretary of State can designate additional events for exemption.

Important: These exemptions are narrow — only for the specific event. Athletes who want to remain in the U.S. after the tournament need O-1 or other work visa status.

The Strategic Approach

For Partial Ban Country Athletes:

1. O-1 is your primary path — pursue it aggressively

2. Don't wait for policy changes — restrictions could tighten

3. Premium processing provides answers in 15 business days

For 75-Country Pause Athletes:

4. Forget green cards for now — consular processing is frozen

5. O-1 gets you to America immediately

6. Once in the U.S., you can adjust status when processing resumes

For Full Ban Country Athletes:

7. Check dual nationality options

8. Evaluate World Cup/Olympics exemptions if applicable

9. Build documentation for when restrictions lift

Travel Advisory for Current O-1 Holders

Athletes already in the United States with valid O-1 status were exempted from the January 1, 2026 travel ban provisions. However, international travel is risky.

Immigration authorities strongly advise O-1 holders to remain in the United States during this period, even with valid visas, due to potential difficulties at reentry.

The Bottom Line

The travel ban created a complex landscape, but it didn't eliminate all pathways. For athletes from partial ban countries and the 75-country pause list, O-1 remains fully functional.

The athletes who act now — while O-1 is available — position themselves for success regardless of future policy changes.