The Department of Homeland Security is expanding restrictions to the Visa Waiver Program. At present, the Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of 38 specified countries to travel to the United States for 90 days or less without first obtaining a visa. However, a new law established in December 2015 created new travel restrictions to the Visa Waiver Program intended to tighten national security. This new law made nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries who have traveled to or been present in Iran, Iraq, Syria, or Sudan on or after March 1, 2011 ineligible to participate in the Visa Waiver Program. Similarly, nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries who are also nationals of Iran, Iraq, Syria, or Sudan are precluded from the Visa Waiver Program.
On February 18, 2016 the Department of Homeland Security announced that it is also including Libya, Somalia, and Yemen on the above-mentioned list of countries of concern. While individuals who have visited these countries since March 1, 2011 or are dual nationals of these countries are ineligible to participate in the Visa Waiver Program, they may still apply for a visa to enter the United States at a U.S. consulate or embassy. If entry on the Visa Wavier Program is in the best interest of national security or law enforcement, an applicant can also apply for a waiver of these travel restrictions from the Department of Homeland Security.