Students traveling to the U.S. from a country impacted by the coronavirus travel restrictions to the U.S. will need to comply with the Presidential Proclamation prior to entering the U.S. The proclamation suspends entry into the U.S. of all non-U.S. citizens who were physically present in the following countries during the 14-day period preceding their entry to the U.S.
On January 25, 2021, President Biden signed a Presidential Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Non-Immigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting Coronavirus Disease. This proclamation continues the 14-day entry restrictions to the U.S. on individuals who were present in the People’s Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the European Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, or Brazil, and, effective on January 30, 2021, adds South Africa to the list of countries with travel restrictions to the U.S.
People’s Republic of China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau), Islamic Republic of Iran and Brazil. South Africa effective 1/30/2021. If you plan to travel to another country before entering the U.S. in order to meet the 14-day requirement, make sure to research and understand any travel restrictions before making travel plans. Many countries have restricted travel to/from other countries. Immediately prior to traveling, reconfirm that you will be able to enter and exit the country as the situation remains fluid in many countries, and new restrictions can be implemented with little or no advance notice. You will need to remain physically present outside of any country impacted by travel restrictions for 14 days before entering the U.S.
Schengen Area, UK, and Ireland
F-1 students traveling from the Schengen Area, the UK, and Ireland may qualify for national interest exceptions to the Presidential Proclamation. Students traveling from these places with valid F-1 visas do not need to contact an embassy or consulate to seek an individual national interest exception to travel. Students who have qualified for an F-1 visa will automatically be considered for a national interest exception to travel.
If you are a student traveling from Schengen area, the United Kingdom and Ireland in with a valid J-1 visa, you may contact the nearest embassy or consulate to initiate an exception request. An approved national interest exception allows a single entry into the U.S. within 30 days from the date of approval. If a new trip to the United States is planned, a new application must or can be submitted.
The following countries make up the Schengen Area: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
