Travelban
Entry ban
A travel ban — a restrictive measure depriving a person of the right to enter a country or group of countries; it can be sanctions-related or immigration-related.
- What it is
- An entry ban — losing the right to enter a country or group of countries
- Types
- Sanctions-related (against specific persons) and immigration-related
- Who imposes it
- States, the EU, the UN — against particular persons
- During checks
- The ban comes up and becomes a deal-breaker
- How to use it
- Check whether there is one and challenge it if unjust
In plain words
A travel ban is a restrictive measure that deprives a specific person of the right to enter a particular country or group of countries. In the context of sanctions and compliance it most often means targeted bans against specific persons: the EU, the UN or individual states, for example, place a person on a list of those barred from entry, alongside other measures such as asset freezes.
Entry bans differ in nature. A sanctions travel ban is part of political sanctions against specific persons (officials, businesspeople connected with certain regimes or actions). An immigration ban may result from a breach of visa rules, deportation or refusal of entry by decision of the migration authorities. It is important to understand exactly which kind of ban a person faces.
In investment migration an entry ban is a serious signal: it will come up in due diligence and, if it is linked to sanctions, will become a deal-breaker for citizenship or an account. At the same time, as with some other measures, sanctions and immigration bans may be contentious or out of date — in which case they can be challenged or lifted in the established way. We help understand the nature of the ban and build a strategy.
Where an entry ban matters
What matters about an entry ban
- Losing the right to enter
- A country or a group of countries
- A targeted measure
- Sanctions-related
- Immigration-related
- Different in nature
- States
- EU and UN
- Migration authorities
- A deal-breaker in DD
- It may be contentious
- It can be challenged
What to do about a ban
- 01Check whether there is a ban
- 02Determine its nature
- 03If unjust, challenge it
- 04Legal work
- 05Lifting or a strategy
What you need to know
- An entry ban deprives a person of the right to enter a country or group of countries
- It may be sanctions-related or immigration-related
- Sanctions bans are imposed by states, the EU and the UN against specific persons
- In due diligence a ban comes up as a deal-breaker
- Contentious and out-of-date bans can be challenged
Common mistakes
- Not checking for a ban before filing
- Confusing sanctions and immigration bans
- Concealing a ban — the check will find it
- Not challenging an unjust or out-of-date ban
- Applying for citizenship with an active sanctions ban
What this means for a BRIDGES client
We check in advance for entry bans and determine their nature — sanctions or immigration. If a ban is unjust or out of date, we help challenge or lift it in the established way. That way the question is resolved before filing rather than turning into an unexpected refusal in due diligence.
Frequently asked questions
01 /What is an entry ban?
A restrictive measure depriving a specific person of the right to enter a particular country or group of countries. It may be sanctions-related or immigration-related.
02 /How does a sanctions ban differ from an immigration ban?
A sanctions ban is part of political sanctions against specific persons (imposed by states, the EU, the UN). An immigration ban results from a visa breach, deportation or refusal of entry.
03 /Will a ban prevent obtaining citizenship?
A sanctions ban will become a deal-breaker in due diligence. An immigration issue can often be resolved. It is important to determine the nature of the ban and build a strategy.
04 /Can a ban be challenged?
Yes, contentious or out-of-date bans — both sanctions and immigration — can be challenged or lifted in the established way with legal support.
05 /Should a ban be concealed?
No, the check will find it, and concealment will arouse suspicion. The right strategy is to check for it in advance and deal with the question openly.
06 /What should you do if there is a ban?
Determine its nature and, if it is unjust or out of date, challenge or lift it. Applying for citizenship with an active sanctions ban is pointless — it is resolved first.
See also
Read next
This material has undergone editorial review by BRIDGES.
An issue with an entry ban?
We will check whether there is a ban and what kind, and if it is unjust, help challenge or lift it — before applying for citizenship.