American Travelers Are Banned From These 3 Countries For 2026

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You’ve probably seen the headlines during the last yr or so — one thing alongside the traces of “America bans another country”.

Right or flawed, 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.

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

Yes — actually banned — that means both the united statesgovernment forbids residents from getting into or the nation itself refuses to allow entry to American passport holders.

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

But this class hits totally different since you do not have a selection within the matter.

For 2026, Americans are prohibited from visiting the next 3 international locations in a single type or one other. Let’s dive in, lets?

North Korea: Thanks, Captain Obvious 🇰🇵

Unless you are Dennis Rodman, you could not have any want to go to what’s generally known as the “Hermit Kingdom”, however hear us out…

Americans have formally been banned from getting into North Korea, one of the crucial 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 wherever on this planet. U.S. officers have lengthy warned that Americans face an unusually excessive threat of arbitrary detention in North Korea, usually with out entry to due course of or consular providers.

As a consequence, the U.S. authorities forbids residents from getting into North Korea to today. In their very own phrases, this determination is pushed by “the serious risk of arrest and long-term detention”.

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

But Americans won’t have an opportunity to go to even when they dared because the U.S. extended this ban till August 2026.

The closest you possibly can 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: Vacation Mode Deactivated 🇨🇺

Want to go to one of the crucial timeless locations on the planet the place Starbucks has but to break colonial facades?

Then you are form of in luck….

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

Americans are technically prevented from vacationing in Cuba, that means for those who do wish to go to this timeworn Caribbean paradise, you need to do some additional planning (and even perhaps convincing).

You see, the present Administration issued a 5-year ban on Americans 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 “Support for the Cuban people” as a purpose to go to and e book an Airbnb to align with my reasoning.

But have a look at babyfaced me — he certain seems to be like he is on “vacation” (for those who catch my drift). 😉

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

For the document, I used to be by no means questioned for claiming “Support for the Cuban People” at any time.

Niger: Visas No Longer Issued To Americans 🇳🇪

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

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

While each nation has its personal distinctive attraction, we can’t faux Niger is the most recent up-and-coming African nation — that may be Algeria.

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

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

According to 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 United States”.

So, why is Chad not listed too?

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

*Right 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 Writer & Journalist primarily based in San Diego has visited 36 international locations and written over 1000 articles with a deal with sharing his personal journey experiences and shining a lightweight on lesser-known gems.