Bhutan Among 11 Countries on Trump’s “Red List,” Facing Total US Entry Ban
March 18, 2025 – Washington, D.C.: Bhutan, often celebrated as one of the happiest countries in the world, has found itself on former US President Donald Trump’s proposed travel ban list, which could completely bar Bhutanese citizens from entering the United States. The move is part of a broader immigration policy overhaul affecting 43 countries, as the Trump administration seeks to tighten national security measures and curb irregular migration patterns.
According to the New York Times, senior officials in Trump’s team are in the final stages of reviewing the sweeping new travel restrictions, which divide affected countries into three categories:
- Red List (11 countries, including Bhutan) – Complete entry ban.
- Orange List (10 countries, including Pakistan and Russia) – Partial travel restrictions.
- Yellow List (22 countries) – Given 60 days to address security concerns to avoid restrictions.
Trump defended the proposed policy, stating that it aims to “protect American citizens from aliens who intend to commit terrorist attacks, threaten national security, espouse hateful ideology, or exploit immigration laws for malevolent purposes.”
Why Is Bhutan on the US Travel Ban List?
Bhutan, a landlocked South Asian nation nestled between India and China, is known for its unique Gross National Happiness Index and strong cultural preservation policies. Despite its peaceful global image, US authorities have reportedly cited two major concerns leading to the proposed ban:
1. National Security and Immigration Violations
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has flagged Bhutan for an increase in visa violations and illegal stays by Bhutanese nationals in the US.
- A 2019 DHS report identified Bhutan as one of the countries where visa overstay rates exceeded the 10% threshold, alongside nations such as Chad (44.94%), Djibouti (37.91%), Mauritania (30.49%), Iran (21.64%), and Afghanistan (11.99%).
- Between 2013 and 2022, at least 200 Bhutanese citizens were caught residing illegally in the US, according to DHS data on Expulsions and Noncitizen Apprehensions.
Year-by-Year Breakdown of Bhutanese Nationals Apprehended for Overstaying Visas:
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2013: 7
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2014: 12
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2015: 24
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2016: 22
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2017: 30
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2018: 26
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2019: 33
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2020: 14
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2021: 15
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2022: 17
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In 2022: Out of 295 Bhutanese who were supposed to depart the US, 112 overstayed.
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In 2023: Out of 371 Bhutanese travelers, 72 overstayed.
These violations, though relatively small in numbers compared to larger nations, exceed US immigration thresholds for tolerance.
2. Bhutan’s Alleged “Irregular Migration Patterns”
- US intelligence has reportedly identified “irregular migration routes” involving Bhutanese travelers who allegedly use the US as a transit point for seeking asylum or unauthorized stays.
- While Bhutanese nationals are not widely associated with illegal immigration, concerns over undocumented migration flows may have placed Bhutan under heightened scrutiny.
What the Travel Ban Means for Bhutanese Citizens
If the travel ban is enforced, Bhutanese citizens will face severe restrictions when attempting to travel to the US for:
- Tourism & Family Visits – Bhutanese travelers will struggle to obtain visas for leisure or family visits.
- Education & Work Visas – Students and professionals seeking to study or work in the US may face significant obstacles in securing F-1 student visas, H-1B work permits, or renewals.
- Bhutanese Nationals in the US – Those currently residing in the US on temporary visas could face additional scrutiny and difficulties in obtaining extensions or renewals.
For those affected, alternative destinations such as Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom remain viable options.
Potential Impact on US-Bhutan Diplomatic Relations
Bhutan has historically maintained a low profile on the global stage, with limited diplomatic engagements with the US. Despite being a close ally of India, Bhutan does not have strong political or economic ties with Washington.
However, an outright travel ban could strain relations, given Bhutan’s small but growing diaspora in the US. While Bhutan is not a high-risk country in terms of security threats, its inclusion in the red list may signal a shift in US foreign policy priorities under Trump.
Trump’s History with Immigration Restrictions
This would not be the first time Trump has imposed immigration bans targeting specific countries.
- In 2020, his administration introduced a $15,000 visa bond for tourist and business travelers from two dozen countries, most of them in Africa.
- The original Trump travel ban (2017) barred entry from seven Muslim-majority nations, sparking international controversy.
This latest ban proposal suggests that Trump, if re-elected, will double down on strict immigration controls, affecting a wider range of countries, including Bhutan.
As the Trump administration moves closer to finalizing its new travel restrictions, Bhutanese citizens hoping to travel to the US face an uncertain future, with the coming weeks proving critical for the final decision.