The White House has set new criteria for visa applicants from six mainly Muslim countries – including three in Africa – and all refugees, requiring them to have a “close” family or business tie to the US.
The rules, affecting people from Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Iran and Syria come into force on Thursday.
They were issued after the Supreme Court partially restored President Donald Trump’s travel ban.
The controversial executive order had been blocked by lower courts.
According to the new rules, confirmed to the BBC, for the next 90 days those without a close relationship – defined as a parent, spouse, child, son or daughter-in-law, or sibling – will not be able to enter the US.
Also exempt from the new rules are those with business or educational ties to the United States.
