US Visa Denials Loom: Ireland & EU Face Travel Challenges in 2026

In 2026, Ireland joins the United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, and other European countries in facing severe travel challenges and visa denial under the U.S. government’s new policy. This policy, which targets dual nationals from both unrestricted and restricted countries, imposes significant hurdles for travelers from these nations. While dual nationals can still travel using the passport of their unrestricted country, they will face increased scrutiny during the visa process, including mandatory interviews, extended background checks, and additional security measures. The policy is designed to address perceived security risks but is causing disruptions and delays for many European travelers. Ireland: Dual Nationals Need Extra Patience for US Entry Dual nationals of Ireland who also hold citizenship in a restricted country are allowed to travel to the U.S. using their Irish passport, and they are technically exempt from the travel ban under the new rules set by Presidential Proclamation 10998. However, this exemption does not guarantee smooth entry. Even though Irish citizens are generally eligible for the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, dual nationals of restricted nations, such as Cuba, Iran, or Venezuela, may not be eligible for ESTA. As a result, they will likely need to apply for a formal visa. The U.S. consular process will involve an interview and a more thorough review of the applicant’s background, including questioning about travel to the restricted nation. This process could result in delays, especially if additional security clearances or background checks are required. At the U.S. border, dual nationals may also face enhanced questioning and further scrutiny by immigration officers. UK Nationals: Navigating Extra Hurdles for Dual Citizens Dual nationals of the United Kingdom, who also hold citizenship in a “restricted” country (such as Cuba, Iran, or Venezuela), are not automatically barred from entering the United States under the provisions of Presidential Proclamation 10998, which went into effect on January 1, 2026. If you travel on a valid UK passport, you are generally exempt from the travel ban. However, this exemption does not guarantee that your travel will be without complications. Although UK citizens are typically eligible for the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP), dual nationals of restricted countries may face higher scrutiny. Visa applications may be subject to additional administrative processing, and entry into the U.S. could involve delays or further questioning. This enhanced scrutiny is intended to ensure that dual nationality is not being used as a way to bypass security measures, and applicants may need to undergo more thorough background checks and security screenings during both the visa and entry process. Italy: Extra Checks Await Dual Nationals Dual nationals of Italy, who also hold citizenship in a restricted country, may travel to the United States on their Italian passport, as the U.S. has made an exception for such travelers under Presidential Proclamation 10998. This exception allows dual nationals of restricted nations to bypass the travel ban, but it does not eliminate the possibility of additional scrutiny. While Italy is part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), individuals holding dual nationality with a restricted country may be excluded from this program and required to apply for a formal visa. The U.S. Embassy in Italy may require a visa interview, even for travelers who otherwise would be eligible for ESTA under normal circumstances. Moreover, consular officers will review your application more closely due to your dual citizenship, and there may be delays in processing, especially if additional security checks or administrative processing are required before your visa is approved or granted. Belgium: Extra Steps for Dual Nationals from Restricted Nations Belgian dual nationals who also hold citizenship in a restricted country, such as Iran or Cuba, will not be automatically denied entry into the U.S. if they are traveling on a valid Belgian passport. However, this does not mean that their travel will proceed without additional checks. Dual nationals from restricted countries are still subject to enhanced vetting, as stipulated under Presidential Proclamation 10998, and must undergo a more thorough review of their application. Even though Belgium participates in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), dual nationals of restricted countries are often ineligible for ESTA, meaning they will need to apply for a formal U.S. visa instead. The visa application process will likely include an interview and, in some cases, mandatory administrative processing. During border entry, travelers may face secondary inspections, where they will be questioned about their dual nationality, travel history, and potential ties to restricted countries, increasing the time and difficulty of the entry process. Spain: Enhanced Scrutiny for Dual Nationals For Spanish dual nationals who hold citizenship in a restricted country, the U.S. has set policies under Presidential Proclamation 10998 that allow travel on a Spanish passport without an automatic ban. However, this exemption does not eliminate the additional vetting procedures for dual nationals. Although Spain is part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, dual nationals from restricted countries may not be eligible for ESTA and will likely need to apply for a formal visa. The U.S. embassy in Spain may require additional documentation, a visa interview, and background checks. Furthermore, dual nationals could face administrative processing delays or additional security clearances before their visa is approved. Upon arriving at U.S. borders, travelers may undergo secondary inspection, including questioning and biometric screenings, such as facial scans and fingerprint collection, as part of enhanced vetting to ensure that dual nationality is not used as a loophole to circumvent the ban. Switzerland: Enhanced Scrutiny for Dual Nationals For Swiss dual nationals who hold citizenship in a restricted country, the United States has outlined a policy that allows travel on a Swiss passport without an automatic ban. Presidential Proclamation 10998 exempts travelers who hold a non-restricted passport from the travel ban. However, it is important to note that this exemption does not eliminate the additional vetting procedures that are now in place for dual nationals. Although Switzerland is part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, dual nationals from restricted countries may be excluded from this program, meaning they will need to apply for a formal visa to enter the U.S. The application process will require an interview at the U.S. Embassy, where consular officers will scrutinize the applicant’s background, including potential security risks. This could involve administrative processing, further delaying the visa approval process. Border entry will also include enhanced questioning and biometric screenings, including facial scans and fingerprints. Denmark: Smooth Entry Not Guaranteed for Dual Nationals Denmark’s dual nationals, who also hold citizenship in a restricted country like Iran or Syria, are not automatically barred from entering the U.S. if they travel on their Danish passport. This exemption under Presidential Proclamation 10998 means that they can still apply for a visa or enter through the Visa Waiver Program, provided they meet the necessary eligibility requirements. However, dual nationals from restricted countries may face significant hurdles during the entry process. They are often ineligible for ESTA, the usual process for quick entry, and will need to apply for a formal visa. The visa application process involves additional scrutiny, and applicants may face longer processing times due to heightened security checks. At the border, dual nationals may be subjected to secondary inspections, where officers will question them about their nationality, travel history, and potential ties to restricted countries. This could lead to delays and additional questioning during the entry process. US Travel and Visa Changes for European Dual Nationals (2026) Starting January 1, 2026, European dual nationals who hold citizenship in both a “restricted” country (like Iran, Syria, or Cuba) and an “unrestricted” country (such as France, Germany, or Italy) are exempt from the U.S. travel ban when using the passport of the unrestricted country. However, they will face significantly increased scrutiny at various stages of their travel to the U.S., including higher visa denial rates, mandatory interviews, more invasive border inspections, and additional security measures. Below is a summary of the key changes and impacts on European dual nationals. In 2026, Ireland joins the United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, and other European countries facing severe travel challenges and potential visa denials under the U.S. government’s new policy. This aims to address security risks associated with dual nationals. Conclusion Ireland, along with the United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, and other European countries, faces severe travel challenges and visa denials under the U.S. government’s new 2026 policy. This policy targets dual nationals from restricted countries, increasing scrutiny and delaying travel for many. Despite the exemption from the travel ban when using an unrestricted country passport, travelers now encounter mandatory interviews, extensive background checks, and additional security measures. These steps, aimed at addressing security concerns, have created significant disruptions, making travel to the U.S. more complicated and time-consuming for affected European nationals.