US president Donald Trump has signed a new executive order placing a 90-day ban on people from six mainly Muslim nations.
Iraq has been removed from the list of countries contained in the previous seven-nation order, as predicted. People with valid visas will be allowed to enter the US.
The revised measure, which includes a 120-day ban on all refugees, takes effect on March 16 to limit travel disruption.
The 10 days’ advance notice may help to avoid some of the chaotic scenes at US airports that occurred on 27 January when the first executive order was announced without warning.
Travellers with valid visas who were in the air at the time of the order found themselves detained by border officials on arrival.
The previous order, which was blocked by a federal court, sparked confusion at airports and mass protests.
Citizens of Iran, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, the other six countries on the original list, will once more be subject to a 90-day travel ban, the BBC reported.
Though the new order clearly states refugees already approved by the US State Department will be allowed to enter, it also limits the number allowed in at 50,000 for the year.
The new directive also lifts a blanket ban on all Syrian refugees.
Green Card holders – legal permanent residents of the US – from the named countries will not be affected by the new order.
The new travel ban was met with threats of legal action.
New York attorney general, Eric Schneiderman, said: “While the White House may have made changes to the ban, the intent to discriminate against Muslims remains clear.
“This doesn’t just harm the families caught in the chaos of President Trump’s draconian policies – it’s diametrically opposed to our values, and makes us less safe.”
Global Business Travel Association executive director and chief operating officer, Michael McCormick, said: “This travel ban is an improvement over the January 27th version, as it is narrower in scope and provides greater clarity about those travellers who would not be subject to the ban.
“The specific exemption for legal permanent residents, dual nationals and current visa holders will help mitigate confusion for the international traveling public.”
But he added: “Any increased restrictions on passenger travel must be based in safety and security to ensure that the ability to travel is not impeded unnecessarily.
“It will remain a focus of the business travel industry to hold disruptions to a minimum, and we will continue to monitor the implementation of this ban closely.
“GBTA is also currently polling its global membership to assess the impact on business travel of this revised executive order and will share this information as soon as it is available.”