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 |
Senegal does not take part in the Visa Waiver Program, so an ESTA is not available to Senegalese citizens. Under Presidential Proclamation 10998, in force since January 1, 2026, the issuance of new visitor visas to Senegalese nationals is suspended (the partial suspension covers B-1/B-2 visitor visas), 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 announcement before booking anything.
What the suspension means
Presidential Proclamation 10998 took effect on January 1, 2026 and limits the issuance of new visitor visas for Senegalese nationals. The suspension is partial rather than total: limited exceptions exist, for example certain dual nationals who travel on another country's passport. Visas issued before the proclamation were not revoked, so holders keep them. A consular officer reviews each application against the proclamation and decides whether an exception applies.
Do not assume an exception covers your case. Read the State Department announcement in full, then confirm your position with the embassy or consulate before paying for flights or hotels. This guide does not issue visas and cannot assess an application. Nothing here changes the rule that an ESTA is not open to Senegalese passport holders, since Senegal is outside the Visa Waiver Program.
Before you fly and on arrival
A valid visa in the passport is what allows you to board a flight to the United States. Senegalese citizens cannot use an ESTA, so apply well ahead and keep the visa page clean and undamaged. Carry papers that explain the trip: a hotel confirmation, a return ticket and a rough plan for the days in Manhattan. A visa does not guarantee admission at the border.
Arrivals from abroad land at John F. Kennedy International Airport or Newark Liberty International Airport; LaGuardia handles mostly domestic traffic. Customs and Border Protection officers inspect the passport, visa and supporting papers, and usually ask about the purpose of the trip and the length of stay. Answer briefly and truthfully and allow time for lines. The officer, not the visa, decides how long you may stay.
Staying in Manhattan
Hotel confirmation matters here. Border officers and, later, front desks expect a booking that matches the dates of the trip, and a reservation in your own name avoids questions. Choose a place in Manhattan and keep the address and phone number on paper as well as on the phone. Many properties ask for a card at check-in for incidentals; confirm the current policy with the property before arrival.
From the airport, the trip into Manhattan is straightforward: a yellow taxi from the official taxi line, a for-hire car booked in advance, or public transport such as the airport train and subway from JFK and Newark. Allow generous time on the first day and keep the return flight plans flexible. Keep a printed copy of the hotel address, and confirm the current fare and service before setting out.
Longer stays, work and study
A visitor visa covers tourism, family visits and short business meetings, not employment or a degree program. Senegalese citizens planning to study, take part in an exchange, work temporarily or join family for longer need a different visa category, and each category has its own application and interview. The partial suspension covers new visitor visas; other categories follow their own rules, and the consulate confirms which one fits the purpose of the trip.
Read the official guidance at travel.state.gov for the category that fits, and follow the instructions from the embassy or consulate handling the case. Rules, forms and appointment systems change, so check the official site rather than older forum posts. Entering on a visitor visa with the intention of working or enrolling does not fit the rules and can affect later applications. Build the plan around the visa that matches the trip, not the other way around.
Step by step
- Read the State Department announcement of Presidential Proclamation 10998 in full on travel.state.gov before making any travel plans.
- Check whether a limited exception applies to you, for example dual nationality with travel on another country's passport.
- Confirm that any visa already in the passport was issued before the proclamation and remains valid.
- Contact the US embassy or consulate in Senegal to ask how the proclamation affects an application.
- Plan nothing non-refundable, flights or hotel deposits, until the visa status is clear in writing.
- Keep passports, photos and trip documents ready, and check the official sites again close to the travel date.
Documents to carry
- Passport valid for the trip, with the visa page intact and undamaged.
- Printed visa or a clear copy of the visa record in the passport.
- Hotel confirmation in your own name, showing the Manhattan address and phone number.
- Return or onward ticket that matches the dates discussed at the border.
- Travel insurance details and any papers that explain the purpose of the visit.
- Printed copies of the State Department guidance and the consulate's own instructions.
Senegalese citizens: questions
Do Senegalese citizens need a visa for a short trip to Manhattan?
Yes. Senegal is outside the Visa Waiver Program, so an ESTA is not available to Senegalese citizens. A visitor visa is the usual route for tourism, family visits and short business meetings in the United States. Under Presidential Proclamation 10998 the issuance of new visitor visas is suspended (the partial suspension covers B-1/B-2 visitor visas) with limited exceptions, so check the State Department announcement and the consulate's guidance before booking.
Can Senegalese citizens with an existing US visa still travel to New York?
Visas issued before Presidential Proclamation 10998 were not revoked, so a valid visa in the passport still allows travel to the United States, including New York. The visa must be genuine and unexpired, and the final decision on admission rests with Customs and Border Protection at the airport. Carry the usual trip documents and check the official guidance before departure.
Is an ESTA an option for Senegalese passport holders visiting the US?
No. The Visa Waiver Program covers a fixed list of countries, and Senegal is not on it, so an ESTA is not open to Senegalese citizens. The electronic travel authorization cannot replace a visa in this case. Apply through the embassy or consulate instead, and use only the official sites esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov for guidance.
Which exceptions might apply to Senegalese citizens under the proclamation?
The proclamation sets limited exceptions, and one example is certain dual nationals who travel on another country's passport. Whether an exception covers a particular case is decided during the visa process, not by the traveler. Read the State Department announcement carefully, then ask the embassy or consulate in Senegal directly, since the answer depends on individual circumstances.
How early should Senegalese citizens apply before a Manhattan trip?
No fixed window applies, and appointment availability at the embassy or consulate changes. Start by reading the State Department announcement, then request an appointment as soon as the trip looks likely. Until the visa status is confirmed in writing, plan nothing non-refundable, such as flights or hotel deposits, and keep checking the official site for updates.
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.