The US Department of State has published guidance identifying African countries that can strip travellers of their Visa Waiver Program eligibility. Nationals of VWP countries who visited any of the three listed African nations after March 1, 2011, may be affected by the rule. The guidance was published on September 28, 2026.
The Visa Waiver Program ordinarily allows eligible nationals from participating countries to travel to the US for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa, subject to an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorisation. However, specific travel history can permanently remove that privilege. The US Department of State has identified three African countries that trigger VWP disqualification.
The three African countries on the list are Libya, Somalia, and Sudan. Any traveller from a VWP country who visited one of these three nations after the specified date must now apply for a standard B-category visitor visa at a US embassy or consulate rather than using the ESTA route. This requirement applies regardless of the purpose or length of the visit to those countries.
The full disqualification list also includes Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Syria, and Yemen, though none of these are on the African continent. The law does provide limited exceptions, including travel conducted for diplomatic or military purposes while serving a VWP country. Outside of those narrow circumstances, however, the rule stands regardless of why a person visited any of the listed nations.
Those who are uncertain about their status are advised to confirm their eligibility before submitting an ESTA application. Travellers who no longer qualify under the VWP retain the option of applying for a B-visa through the standard consular process, which remains open to them. The State Department also notes that travellers who are still eligible for the VWP but would prefer to travel on a visa may choose to apply through that route instead.
The Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 established the rule that nationals of VWP-participating countries who were present in certain countries on or after 1 March 2011 are no longer eligible for the programme. This law aims to strengthen US national security and prevent potential terrorist threats.
Travellers from Ghana and other VWP countries who have visited Libya, Somalia, or Sudan after March 1, 2011, are advised to apply for a standard visitor visa at a US embassy or consulate. The US Department of State encourages travellers to check their eligibility and apply for a visa if necessary to avoid any travel disruptions.
Key points
- The three African countries that can strip travellers of their Visa Waiver Program eligibility are Libya, Somalia, and Sudan.
- Travellers who lose VWP eligibility can still enter the US but must apply for a standard visitor visa at an embassy or consulate.
- The rule applies to nationals of VWP countries who visited the listed African nations after March 1, 2011.
