Travel Restrictions
Canada-Mexico "Essential Travel" Restrictions: U.S. Customs and Border Protection has extended travel restrictions on entry to the U.S. from land ports of entry along the U.S.-Canada and U.S. Mexico borders for "essential travel" to March 21, 2021. The restriction originally went into effect on March 21, 2020, for a 30-day period, and has been extended eleven times. The restriction does not apply to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and foreign nationals who are traveling to work in the U.S. or to attend an educational institution. Non-essential travel includes tourism. Please refer to the U.S. Customs & Border Protection Agency website for more information.
On January 25, 2021 The White House issued a Presidential Proclamation continuing the 14-day entry restrictions listed below for travelers coming from the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Brazil, China and Iran, and adds South Africa to the list of countries. The restriction for South Africa will go into effect on January 30, 2021.
China Travel Proclamation 9984 (Jan. 31, 2020) – Suspends all visa holders, including F, J, and H-1B, from travel to the U.S. if they have resided in China for the 14-day period preceding their entry.
Iran Proclamation 9992 (Feb. 29, 2020) – Suspends all visa holders, including F, J, and H-1B, from travel to the U.S. if they have resided in Iran for the 14-day period preceding their entry.
European Schengen Area Proclamation 9993 (March 11, 2020) - Suspends certain visa holders, including J and H-1B, from travel to the U.S. if they were physically present in a European Schengen Area country for the 14-day period preceding their entry. F-1 students are exempt from the Proclamation. Note that J-1 and H-1B visa holders may be eligible for a National Interest Exemption but should contact OVIS for more information. National Interest Exemptions under this Proclamation, if granted, require that the beneficiary enter the U.S. within 30 days of the visa interview. If you were previously granted an NIE for travel to the U.S., you may be required to request a new NIE to return to the U.S. after a departure. You should contact the consular post with jurisdiction over your foreign residence for specific guidance.
Ireland and UK Proclamation 9996 (March 14, 2020) – Suspends certain visa holders, including J and H-1B, from travel to the U.S. if they were physically present in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, or the Republic of Ireland for the 14-day period preceding their entry. F-1 students are exempt from the Proclamation. Note that J-1 and H-1B visa holders may be eligible for a National Interest Exemption but should contact OVIS for more information. National Interest Exemptions under this Proclamation, if granted, require that the beneficiary enter the U.S. within 30 days of the visa interview. If you were previously granted an NIE for travel to the U.S., you may be required to request a new NIE to return to the U.S. after a departure. You should contact the consular post with jurisdiction over your foreign residence for specific guidance.
Brazil Proclamation (May 24, 2020) – Suspends all visa holders, including F, J, and H-1B, from travel to the U.S. if they have resided in Brazil for the 14-day period preceding their entry.