On June 29, 2021 the Department of State extended the validity of National Interest Exceptions (NIEs) for travelers subject to COVID-related travel restrictions established under Presidential Proclamations. NIEs will be valid for 12 months from the date of approval, for multiple entries, as long as they are used for the same purpose for which they were initially approved. The NIE extensions apply to travelers who are coming from China, India, Brazil, Iran, South Africa, the Schengen Area countries, and the United Kingdom and Ireland.
On May 13, 2021, the U.S. Department of State posted an update to its April 26, 2021 announcement on the eligibility for National Interest Exceptions to the 14-day travel restriction to the U.S. for travelers from India, China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, the Schengen Area countries, the U.K. and Ireland. According to the announcement, students with F-1 visas intending to begin or continue an academic program on or after August 1, 2021 do not need to contact an embassy or consulate to obtain an NIE prior to travel. Students who require a new F-1 visa stamp in their passport should check the status of visa services at the U.S. embassy or consulate. Those applicants qualified for an F-1 visa will be automatically considered for an NIE to travel. The text of the Department of State announcements is ambiguous, and seems to say that the August 1, 2021 condition does not include the Schengen countries or the UK and Ireland. There is also uncertainty as to whether the August 1, 2021 condition applies only to new students, or to both new and continuing students. The agency has been asked to provide clarification on these critical points. OVIS is monitoring the guidance and will provide updates when they become available.
Effective May 12, 2021, the U.S. Embassy in Russia suspended processing of nonimmigrant visas except for diplomatic travel. No date has been provided for resumption of visa services.
On April 30, 2021 the White House issued a Proclamation restricting travel from India to the U.S. due to the COVID-19 crisis in that country. The U.S. Department of State confirmed that the National Interest Exceptions being applied to other COVID-19 Proclamation countries will be applied to India. This means that students seeking to travel to the U.S. to attend school for the Fall term will qualify for a National Interest Exceptions. Students who require an F-1 visa stamp to enter the U.S. will still need to obtain the visa from a U.S. Consulate or Embassy.
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 October 21, 2021. The restriction originally went into effect on March 21, 2020, for a 30-day period, and has been extended on a monthly basis. 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. Starting August 9, the Canadian government has permitted non-essential travel from the United States to Canada for fully vaccinated U.S. nationals and permanent residents who reside in the United States. 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.