Trump’s Proposed Travel Ban: Why Bhutan May Be Affected:

President Donald Trump is considering a new travel ban that could restrict or block entry for citizens from up to 43 countries, including Bhutan. According to reports from the New York Times, senior officials within the Trump administration are reviewing the proposal, which divides the countries into three categories: red, orange, and yellow.

Red List: Countries that will be completely banned.
Orange List: Countries that will face partial restrictions.
Yellow List: Countries given 60 days to address security issues to avoid restrictions.

The ultimate goal, according to Trump, is to protect American citizens from individuals who pose a security risk, commit terrorist acts, or exploit immigration laws for malicious purposes.

Why Bhutan Is On the Red List

Bhutan, a small landlocked country nestled in the Himalayas between China and India, has been included on the red list. This means that Bhutanese citizens would face a complete ban from entering the United States if the proposal is implemented.

Despite being known as one of the happiest countries in the world, Bhutan has been placed under scrutiny due to national security concerns and reports of irregular migration patterns. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) highlighted a significant increase in visa violations by Bhutanese nationals in the United States.

Visa Violations and Overstay Trends in Bhutan

DHS data reveals a 37% rise in Bhutanese visa violations last year. Between 2013 and 2022, approximately 200 Bhutanese citizens were caught residing illegally in the US. Here’s the year-by-year breakdown of the Bhutanese nationals apprehended for overstaying:

2013: 7
2014: 12
2015: 24
2016: 22
2017: 30
2018: 26
2019: 33
2020: 14
2021: 15
2022: 17

Furthermore, a 2019 report from the DHS identified Bhutan as one of the countries with overstay rates exceeding the 10% threshold, alongside countries like Chad, Djibouti, Mauritania, Iran, and Afghanistan.

The Consequences for Bhutanese Travelers

If the ban is enacted, Bhutanese travelers—especially those wishing to visit, study, or work in the United States—could face significant challenges. Students and professionals seeking to enter the US may be the most affected, facing heightened scrutiny and more difficult visa processes.

Current Bhutanese nationals in the US may encounter more frequent checks and difficulties during visa renewals.
Bhutanese citizens hoping to travel to the US might look for alternative destinations like Canada, Australia, and the UK, which could be more accessible.

Impact on US-Bhutan Diplomatic Relations

While Bhutan maintains a low-profile diplomatic stance, the potential travel ban could strain US-Bhutan relations. The country’s limited engagement with the United States makes this a particularly unusual diplomatic move.

For prospective Bhutanese travelers, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether these restrictions will become a reality and how it will affect their future travel plans.