US Travel Ban 2025: How Canadian Dual Citizens Can Navigate New Border Restrictions
- Mitchell
- Jun 13
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
New US Travel Restrictions Impact Canadians and International Visitors
President Trump's June 4 proclamation has created unprecedented travel restrictions affecting millions of international travellers. With implementation set for June 9, 2025, at 12:01 AM EDT, understanding these changes is critical for Canadians planning US travel.
These restrictions represent the most significant border policy shift in recent years, Canadians, particularly those with dual citizenship, need to understand how these changes affect their travel plans.
Complete Travel Ban for 12 Countries, Partial Restrictions for 7 Others
The executive order creates a two-tiered restriction system:
Complete Travel Ban:
Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen face total prohibition on all visa categories.
Partial Restrictions:
Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela face bans on immigrant visas and common non-immigrant visas (B-1/B-2 tourism/business, F academic, M vocational, and J exchange visitor visas).
Other visa categories remain available but with reduced validity periods.
Critical Deadline: June 9, 2025
Travelers must understand three critical points about the June 9 implementation:
Individuals must be inside the US before this deadline to avoid restrictions
Valid visas issued before June 9 will not be revoked
Anyone outside the US without a valid visa on June 9 will be subject to the ban
Canadian Passport Provides Protection for Dual Citizens
For dual nationals, the travel document—not nationality—determines entry eligibility:
Somalian-Canadian traveling on Canadian passport: Allowed
Somalian-Canadian traveling on Somalian passport: Prohibited
Iranian-Canadian traveling on Canadian passport: Allowed
Cuban-Canadian traveling on Canadian passport: Allowed
Exemptions to the Travel Ban
Several categories remain exempt from these restrictions:
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 visa holders
Transit and Cruise Travel Complications
The ban extends beyond direct travel to the US:
Transit through US airports is prohibited for nationals of banned countries
Cruise ships with US ports of call may deny boarding to affected nationals, regardless of embarkation point
For travelers with existing bookings, review force majeure clauses and travel insurance policies, as the ban may qualify as a covered reason for cancellation.
Economic Impact: $8.8 Billion Boost for Canadian Tourism
The Conference Board of Canada projects an $8.8 billion boost to domestic tourism as Canadians redirect travel plans. Economist Van Mulligen notes, "Canadian travelers may spend more than usual on domestic trips, traveling farther and staying longer."
Meanwhile, the US travel sector faces potential losses up to $64 billion by year-end. Even a 10% reduction in Canadian visitors could result in $2.1 billion in lost US spending and 14,000 American job losses, according to World Travel & Tourism Council projections.
Business Travel Disruptions and New Requirements
Business travelers face particular challenges:
Increased documentation requirements at borders
Enhanced screening procedures for Canadian travelers
New registration requirement for stays exceeding 30 days
How Navarro Law Professional Corporation Can Help
Our Toronto-based immigration law firm offers professional legal assistance:
Professional Legal Guidance:
We provide tailored advice on Canadian-US immigration law and travel ban implications, helping interpret exemptions and restrictions for your specific situation.
Comprehensive Documentation Support:
Our team assists with visa applications, renewals, and preparation of border-crossing documentation to ensure compliance with new requirements.
Legal Representation for Affected Travelers:
For those impacted by the ban, we offer representation for waiver applications, exemption requests, and humanitarian considerations.
During these uncertain times, professional legal guidance is essential for maintaining cross-border mobility. Understanding your options is the first step toward protecting your travel rights.
For personalized assistance with Canadian travel restrictions, contact Navarro Law Professional Corporation at info@macnlaw.com or visit www.macnlaw.com to book your legal consultation.
Your legal lifeline for cross-border travel.
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