Bhutan’s government has requested a review of a draft US travel ban listing that may restrict entry and visas for its citizens. The proposed list categorizes Bhutan among countries facing potential bans due to security concerns, particularly visa violations and irregular migration trends. While the draft has not been officially approved, it prompts significant concerns regarding US-Bhutan relations and the status of Bhutanese nationals in the US.

On March 18, 2025, reports emerged suggesting that Bhutan might be included in a draft list proposing an entry ban or visa restrictions to the United States. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Bhutan has officially requested a review of these potential restrictions, stating that Bhutanese citizens do not represent a considerable security risk to the US.

In the draft list, which appeared online on March 15, Bhutan is classified among 41 countries with varying degrees of risk, divided into Red, Orange, and Yellow categories. The New York Times noted that Bhutan was part of an eleven-nation ‘Red List’ facing possible travel bans, alongside countries such as Afghanistan and North Korea. In contrast, a Reuters report positions Bhutan on a draft ‘Yellow List’ of nations that may encounter partial visa suspensions if specific US concerns remain unaddressed.

The travel ban discussions have sparked considerable discourse regarding the implications for US-Bhutan relations and the fate of Bhutanese nationals residing in the US. Concerns from US authorities have primarily centered around an increase in Bhutanese nationals overstaying their visas. While precise statistics are lacking, reports indicate a rise in Bhutanese tourists and students remaining in the US beyond their authorized time.

The New York Times highlighted an executive order by President Donald J. Trump mandating the State Department to identify countries requiring enhanced vetting, leading to the scrutiny faced by Bhutan. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported a 37 percent surge in violations related to Bhutanese visas over the past year, citing national security and irregular migration issues as the rationale for the nation’s assessment.

Between 2021 and 2024, 51 Bhutanese individuals were arrested for immigration violations, according to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) annual report for 2024. Compounding the issue, there have been reports of Bhutanese nationals illegally entering the US from Canada and Mexico, with 300 such attempts recorded in 2023.

Should these travel restrictions be implemented, Bhutanese citizens could face significant hurdles when seeking to travel to the US for purposes such as business or education. Potential challenges include heightened scrutiny, extended visa processing durations, and elevated rejection rates. Furthermore, while no formal deportation measures against Bhutanese immigrants are in place, existing visa holders may encounter increased difficulty during renewal processes, which could place strain on the longstanding diplomatic relations between Bhutan and the US.

In conclusion, the draft travel ban proposal concerning Bhutan has elicited significant responses from both the Bhutanese government and US officials. With Bhutan being classified on several risk levels that could affect the security and immigration status of its nationals in the US, there are considerable concerns regarding visa violations and illegal crossings. The implications of these potential travel restrictions could disrupt the exchange between Bhutanese citizens and the United States, potentially causing diplomatic tensions. The ongoing discourse will be crucial in shaping future US-Bhutan relations.

Original Source: asianews.network

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