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 |
Eritrean citizens cannot currently be issued new US visitor visas. Presidential Proclamation 10998, in force since January 1, 2026, suspends B-1 and B-2 issuance for Eritrean nationals, with limited exceptions such as certain dual nationals traveling on another country's passport. Visas issued before the proclamation remain valid. An ESTA is not an option. Check the State Department's announcement on travel.state.gov before booking anything for Manhattan.
What the suspension means
Presidential Proclamation 10998, in force since January 1, 2026, suspends the issuance of new visitor visas, B-1 and B-2, to Eritrean nationals. The suspension is not a ban on travel for everyone: visas issued before the proclamation were not revoked. Exceptions are limited and narrow, for example certain dual nationals traveling on another country's passport. An ESTA is not available to Eritrean citizens.
In practice, an Eritrean citizen who does not already hold a valid US visa has no route to a visitor visa while the suspension stands. Anyone holding a visa issued earlier can still travel on it, subject to the usual checks at the border. Applications already in progress should be followed up with the consulate. Rules can change, so check the State Department's announcement on travel.state.gov.
Before you fly and on arrival
Airports serving Manhattan are John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International, and all three handle international arrivals. Before booking, confirm that you hold a valid visa or fall within an exception. Carry the passport that matches the visa, a printed hotel booking and your travel plan. Airlines check documents at check-in and may refuse boarding if the paperwork does not match.
On landing, US Customs and Border Protection officers decide whether to admit you and for how long. Expect questions about the purpose of the trip, where you will stay and when you plan to leave. Answer briefly and honestly, and keep documents in your hand luggage rather than a checked bag. Secondary inspection is routine and not an accusation; it simply takes longer.
Staying in Manhattan
A hotel confirmation with a Manhattan address is worth printing, since it answers the first questions at the border. Book flexible rates where possible, because a visa question can change plans late. Keep the dates of your return or onward journey handy. Reservations for museums, theaters or observation decks are easier to rearrange than flights, so treat them as the last items to confirm.
From the airports, trains and buses run into Manhattan, and taxis wait at the terminals; compare options on arrival and check the current fare before setting off. Within the city, the subway and buses cover most of what a visitor wants to see, and walking is often quicker over short distances. Ask the hotel about the nearest station and about late-night travel.
Work, study and longer stays
Visitor visas do not permit work or study, and the suspension of new B-1 and B-2 issuance does not open other routes. Study, exchange, temporary work and family categories are separate, each with its own application and interview. Eritrean citizens who need one of these should look at the category that fits the purpose of the trip and follow the instructions on travel.state.gov, rather than assuming a visitor visa covers it.
Anyone planning a longer stay should start early and keep plans flexible, since interview slots and decisions move at their own pace. This site is a travel guide and does not issue visas or give legal advice. Where a case is complicated, a licensed immigration attorney is the right person to ask. Check the official site for anything that changes.
Step by step
- Read the State Department's announcement of Presidential Proclamation 10998 on travel.state.gov before planning.
- Check whether an exception fits, such as dual nationality with travel on another country's passport.
- Confirm whether a visitor visa issued before the proclamation sits in your passport; those were not revoked.
- Contact the US embassy or consulate responsible for Eritrea about your own case.
- Avoid paying for flights, hotels or tours until the visa position is clear.
Documents to carry
- Passport, with any valid US visitor visa issued before the proclamation
- Printed hotel confirmation showing the Manhattan address and stay dates
- Return or onward ticket, or a written plan for leaving the United States
- Contact details for the US embassy or consulate handling the case
- Printed copy of the State Department announcement for airline staff
Eritrean citizens: questions
Can Eritrean citizens apply for a US visitor visa now?
No new B-1 or B-2 visitor visas are being issued to Eritrean nationals while Presidential Proclamation 10998 remains in force. A few narrow exceptions exist, such as certain dual nationals traveling on another country's passport. Check travel.state.gov for the current position before applying or paying for anything.
Is an ESTA an option for Eritrean citizens traveling to New York?
No. An ESTA is not available to Eritrean citizens, so the Visa Waiver Program route is closed however short the trip. Eritrean travelers need a visa, and new visitor visas are currently suspended. Check esta.cbp.dhs.gov for eligibility rules and travel.state.gov for visa guidance before booking.
Can an Eritrean citizen with a visa issued before the proclamation still visit Manhattan?
Yes, in principle. Visas issued before the proclamation took effect were not revoked, so a valid visitor visa can still be used for a trip to Manhattan. A Customs and Border Protection officer decides admission at the airport. Carry the passport that matches the visa, a hotel booking and return plans.
Which exceptions apply to Eritrean nationals under the proclamation?
Exceptions are narrow and assessed case by case. The example named in the announcement concerns certain dual nationals who travel on another country's passport. An existing valid visa is a separate matter, since visas issued before the proclamation were not revoked. Ask the embassy or consulate handling Eritrea whether your circumstances qualify.
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.