National Interest Exceptions for Certain Travelers from China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, Schengen Area, United Kingdom, and Ireland
On April 26, the US Department of Homeland Security announced that they are expanding certain National Interest Exceptions (NIE) to all countries subject to a geographic COVID-19 entry ban. Based on this announcement, students with valid F-1 visas intending to begin or continue an academic program August 1, 2021 can travel to the United States regardless of the country they are traveling from as long as they have the required travel documents.Â
Students with valid J-1 visas intending to travel from China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, Schengen Area, United Kingdom, and Ireland (even if only transiting through these countries during travel) to the United States must contact their nearest embassy or consulate to obtain a National Interest Exception for permission to travel to the US. Generally the National Interest Exception is granted for a 30-day period; if the applicant does not enter the US within the validity period of the original National Interest Exception, they may need to contact the US Embassy again for another National Interest Exception closer to their dates of travel.
Students seeking to apply for a new F-1 or J-1 visa should continue to check the status of visa services at the nearest embassy or consulate.