Check the official site before you travel. imptmanhattan.com is a hotel and travel site; it does not issue visas or ESTAs and this is not legal advice. Rules change: confirm on esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov.
| Status | Visitor visas suspended |
|---|---|
| Visa or authorization | Full suspension: all visa categories |
| Where to apply | Check the State Department notice first |
| Fees and processing | Set by the US government: check the official site |
| Arrival | Inspection by US Customs and Border Protection at the airport |
Under Presidential Proclamation 10998, the United States has suspended new B-1/B-2 visitor visas for Chadian nationals. Visas granted before the proclamation remain valid, so travelers who already hold one can still travel. No ESTA route is open to Chadian citizens. Check the State Department's announcement before booking flights, hotels or anything non-refundable for a Manhattan trip.
What the suspension means
Presidential Proclamation 10998, in force since January 1, 2026, suspends the issuance of new B-1/B-2 visitor visas to Chadian nationals. A Chadian passport holder applying for a Manhattan trip should expect refusal unless a limited exception applies, such as certain dual nationals traveling on another country's passport. An ESTA is not available. Check travel.state.gov for the current wording before applying.
Before you fly and arrival
Visas issued before the proclamation were not revoked, so a Chadian citizen who already holds a valid visitor visa can still travel on it. At JFK, LaGuardia or Newark, Customs and Border Protection officers decide admission, so carry hotel confirmation and return plans and answer questions plainly. Confirm the visa terms with the embassy or consulate before booking, and check the official site.
Staying in Manhattan
Manhattan hotels ask for a passport at check-in and usually take a card for incidentals, so keep the booking confirmation, the address and a phone number to hand, with return plans if asked. From JFK, LaGuardia or Newark, rail links, buses and taxis reach Midtown; check the current fare and service first. The transit authority's site lists subway and bus routes around the city.
Longer stays, work or study
A visitor visa covers tourism and short business trips only. Study, employment, a posting to a US office or a longer stay each needs a different visa category with its own rules. The proclamation covers visitor visas, so ask how other categories are affected. This guide does not issue visas. Start with travel.state.gov and the embassy or consulate, and allow time before departure.
Step by step
- Read the State Department's announcement on Presidential Proclamation 10998 at travel.state.gov before any planning.
- Check whether a limited exception fits, for example certain dual nationals traveling on another country's passport.
- Contact the US embassy or consulate covering Chad about your own case before paying for anything.
- Confirm on the official ESTA site that no ESTA application is open to Chadian passport holders.
- Plan nothing non-refundable, including flights, hotels and tours, until the visa position is clear.
Documents to carry
- A valid Chadian passport, or another passport you also hold
- Any United States visa in your passport, if issued before the proclamation
- Printed hotel confirmation and return or onward travel plans
- The address and phone number of your first night in Manhattan
Chadian citizens: questions
Can Chadian citizens get a new US visitor visa for a Manhattan trip?
No. Presidential Proclamation 10998 suspends the issuance of new B-1/B-2 visitor visas to Chadian nationals, so a fresh application should expect refusal unless a limited exception applies. Visas issued before the proclamation were not revoked. Check travel.state.gov before booking, and note that this guide does not issue visas.
Can Chadian citizens holding an older US visa still visit New York?
Yes, in principle. Visas issued before the proclamation were not revoked, so an existing valid visitor visa can still be used for a Manhattan trip. Customs and Border Protection decides admission at the airport, so carry hotel confirmation and return plans. If the terms of the visa are unclear, ask the embassy or consulate first.
Can Chadian citizens use an ESTA instead of a US visa?
No. The Visa Waiver Program and the ESTA system are open to travelers from participating countries, and Chad does not take part. Chadian citizens need a visa, and new visitor visas are suspended. An ESTA application will not produce a valid authorization. Check esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov for current rules.
Does a second nationality help Chadian citizens visiting Manhattan?
Possibly. The proclamation sets out limited exceptions, and one example is certain dual nationals traveling on another country's passport. A second nationality does not settle the question by itself, because conditions apply to each case. Ask the embassy or consulate handling your application, and read the State Department's announcement before booking anything.
Where will you stay in Manhattan?
Midtown for a first visit, SoHo or the West Village for character, the Upper West Side for the park. Live prices for your dates open in the IMPT app.
Photo credits: Pexels.