Update Regarding Travel from India to the United States
On April 30 the Biden administration announced a travel restriction for noncitizens of the United States who were physically present within the Republic of India during the 14‑day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States. This proclamation went into effect at 12:01 AM ET yesterday, May 4, 2021.
However, students traveling from India with valid F-1 visas, intending to begin or continue an academic program August 1, 2021 or later, will be permitted to travel to the United States up to 30 days prior to the beginning for their academic program, as long as they have the required travel documents.
These new restrictions mean that students in F-1 or J-1 status should not expect to return directly from India to the US before August 1 (or 30 days before August 1 if your academic program begins or resumes as of August 1) unless the pandemic situation improves significantly and the restrictions or exception timelines change. If your I-20/DS-2019 indicates a program start date between May 16 and July 30, 2021, you may require a new I-20 or DS-2019 in order to enter the United States. Please submit your US entry plan information if you now require an updated I-20 or DS-2019.
Students on post-completion OPT with valid F-1 visas, intending to begin or resume their OPT August 1, 2021 or later, should be permitted to travel to the United States up to 30 days prior to beginning or resuming OPT in the US, as long as they have the required travel documents.
Students with valid J-1 visas intending to travel from India 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.