By: Sherree Saperstein, SHRM-CP Founder of Travel Island Caribbean Destinations
Starting January 1, 2026, the global mobility map is shifting. A new U.S. travel proclamation has officially expanded the restricted list to 39 countries. This isn't just a U.S. policy—it's a massive shift in how the world moves. For digital nomads and remote teams, it means the "path to paradise" just got a few more hurdles.
The "Domino Effect" on Remote Work
Even if you aren't flying to the States, this hits your operations in three ways:
The Transit Trap: Most "Paradise" flights hub through Miami or JFK. If a team member has a restricted passport, they can no longer transit through the U.S. They’ll have to take the "long way" through hubs like London or Panama, which can double travel costs.
The Airline "Chilling Effect": When the U.S. flags a country, airlines increase screening. Expect delays and higher scrutiny for anyone flying from these 39 regions, regardless of their destination.
- The Compliance Ripple: From an HR and "Duty of Care" perspective, these shifts are critical. If the U.S. flags a passport as "hard to vet," other destinations often follow suit by tightening their own visa requirements.
The Restricted List (Effective Jan 1, 2026)
Full Restrictions (19 Countries): Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, and the Palestinian Authority.
Partial Restrictions (20 Countries): Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Cuba, Nigeria, Venezuela, Senegal, Angola, Benin, Burundi, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
How to Navigate This (The Paradise Way)
At Work from Paradise, we believe in mobility strategy, not panic. Here is your move:
Audit Your Talent: If you have contractors in restricted regions, their ability to join you for a "Paradise Summit" just got complicated. Start mapping out "Neutral Ground" meeting spots.
Leverage the Caribbean Advantage: Many islands (like Barbados or Bermuda) offer specialized Digital Nomad Visas that provide a more stable home base when other borders are tightening.
Keep Your Documents Digital: Ensure your team's visa and residency paperwork is digitized and accessible. In a shifting world, speed is your best asset.
The Path to Paradise is Built on Systems
The global travel landscape is shifting, but your mobility doesn’t have to. At Work from Paradise—a Travel Island Caribbean Destinations brand—our mission is to bridge the gap between global mobility and operational excellence. We believe the "work from anywhere" life should be defined by freedom but sustained by HR-certified strategy.
Whether you’re looking for a stable island base or auditing your team’s global footprint, we are here to ensure your path to paradise remains open and compliant.
Join the Inner Circle
The global map is shifting, but your freedom doesn't have to. At Work from Paradise, we believe the best way to handle uncertainty is with a solid system.
To help you navigate these 2026 changes, I’ve put together a quick 2026 Border Audit Checklist. It’s the exact framework I use to help founders and nomads spot "Transit Traps" before they become expensive travel nightmares.
[Download the 2026 Border Audit Checklist]
By downloading the checklist, you’ll be the first to know when we officially open the doors to our private Skool community. Stay Borderless. Stay Compliant. See you in Paradise.
Strategy by Sherree Saperstein, SHRM-CP | Founder of Travel Island Caribbean Destinations and Work from Paradise.
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