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 | Partial suspension: B-1/B-2 visitor visas included |
| 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 |
Gabon is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so an ESTA is not available to Gabonese citizens. Under Presidential Proclamation 10998, the issuance of new visitor visas to Gabonese nationals is partly suspended, with limited exceptions such as certain dual nationals traveling on another country's passport. Visas issued before the proclamation were not revoked. Check the State Department's announcement before paying for anything.
What the suspension means
Under Presidential Proclamation 10998, consular officers may not issue new B-1 or B-2 visitor visas to Gabonese nationals, apart from limited exceptions. The proclamation has been in force since January 1, 2026. Visas issued before that date were not revoked, so a traveler holding one can still ask for admission at a United States port of entry. Check the announcement before making commitments.
Before you fly and on arrival
Check the State Department's announcement and any consular guidance before booking. If a valid visa is already in the passport, confirm that its details match the passport carried. Flights from abroad usually land at John F. Kennedy International Airport or Newark Liberty International Airport. Customs and Border Protection officers decide on admission, and a visa alone does not guarantee entry.
Staying in Manhattan
Carry a hotel confirmation that shows the Manhattan address given at the border, and keep it within reach rather than in a checked bag. A return or onward ticket supports the stated plan. From Kennedy or Newark, the trip into the city is by public transport, taxi or ride app, and the subway and commuter rail lines reach Midtown and Lower Manhattan.
Work, study and longer stays
Visitor visas cover tourism, family visits and short business meetings, not employment or a course of study. Work, study and exchange programs need other categories, each with its own application and documents. Gabonese citizens should check travel.state.gov for the category that fits and confirm that the suspension does not reach it. Consular officers decide each case on its facts, and the exceptions are read narrowly.
Step by step
- Read Presidential Proclamation 10998 and the State Department guidance on travel.state.gov before booking anything.
- Check whether an exception applies, such as another nationality's passport or a visitor visa issued before January 1, 2026.
- Contact the United States embassy or consulate covering Gabon and describe the planned trip.
- Plan nothing non-refundable, including flights and hotel rates, until the visa position is clear.
- If a valid visa is held, confirm the passport matches and keep the supporting documents ready.
Documents to carry
- Passport used in the visa application, plus a second photo identification
- Hotel confirmation showing the Manhattan address given to border officers
- Return or onward ticket matching the stated length of stay
- Printed copy of the State Department announcement and any consular reply
Gabonese citizens: questions
Can Gabonese citizens get a visitor visa for the United States now?
Under Presidential Proclamation 10998, new B-1 and B-2 visas for Gabonese nationals are partly suspended, with limited exceptions. Anyone holding a visa issued before the proclamation keeps it. A first-time applicant should read the announcement on travel.state.gov and ask the embassy or consulate covering Gabon before paying for flights or hotels.
Can Gabonese citizens use an ESTA to visit Manhattan?
No. Gabon does not take part in the Visa Waiver Program, so the ESTA system is closed to Gabonese passport holders. A valid visa is needed instead, and new visitor visas are subject to the partial suspension. Check esta.cbp.dhs.gov for participating countries and travel.state.gov for visa rules. This site does not issue visas.
Do Gabonese citizens with a visa issued before 2026 need a new one for the United States?
Visas issued before the proclamation were not revoked, so a valid one still supports a trip. Confirm that the passport matches the one the visa was issued in, and check the announcement for any later change. Customs and Border Protection officers decide on admission at the airport, so carry the hotel confirmation and return plans.
Can Gabonese citizens work or study in Manhattan on a visitor visa?
No. Visitor visas cover tourism, family visits and short business meetings, not employment or study. Work, study and exchange programs require other visa categories, applied for through the embassy or consulate. Check travel.state.gov for the category that fits and confirm how the current suspension applies before arranging interviews or travel.
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.