The United States is considering imposing strict entry restrictions on travelers from 43 countries, the New York Times reported Friday.

Quoting officials who preferred to remain anonymous, the newspaper said these countries would be classified into three categories.

The red category—countries whose nationals would be completely banned from entering the United States—includes Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.

Ten other countries - Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Burma, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan and Turkmenistan - would be placed in the orange category and have their visas severely restricted.

"In this category, wealthy business travelers could be allowed in, but not people traveling on immigrant or tourist visas," the New York Times said.

Citizens of orange category countries would also have to undergo in-person interviews to obtain a visa.

Twenty-two other countries on the yellow list would have 60 days to respond to the United States' questions, or face being placed in a more restrictive category.

Officials interviewed by The New York Times said that "the list was developed by the State Department several weeks ago and changes are likely before it reaches the White House."

Upon taking office, Mr. Trump froze the refugee admissions program in the United States and almost all foreign aid.

He further asked his government to identify countries whose nationals should be banned from entering the United States for security reasons.

During his previous term, Mr. Trump signed an executive order in 2017 banning entry to the United States to citizens of several predominantly Muslim countries, including war-torn Syria.