National Interest Exception for Travel to the United States during COVID-19 to be replaced by Vaccination Requirement
Monica Zafra • October 1, 2021
The White House announced on September 20th that beginning in early November, all adult foreign nationals trav eling to the United States by air must demonstrate proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. Once this occurs, the National Interest Exception Program will end. The specific date and details of the policy have not been announced yet, so until then, the Presidential Proclamation suspending travel from countries with a high level of COVID-19 cases remains the same.
What is the National Interest Exception?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, four presidential proclamations were issued which suspended entry into the United States of all noncitizens who were physically present in any of 33 countries during the 14-day period preceding their entry into the United States. These countries include China, Iran, United Kingdom, Brazil, South Africa, India, and the Schengen Area (European countries within a single jurisdiction for international travel purposes due to a common visa policy). (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/covid-19-travel-restrictions-and-exceptions.html). The National Interest Exception allows travel if the noncitizen qualifies for a National Interest Exception, is part of an exempted visa class, or qualifies for a Family Exemption.
New Policy
As of early November, foreign nationals will be required to provide proof they have received full COVID vaccinations in order to travel to the United States. There will be limited exceptions for children, COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial participants, and individuals traveling for an important purpose without access to a vaccination. These individuals will still be required to provide a negative COVID test taken within 24 hours of their flight and proof they have purchased a COVID-19 test kit to be administered after arriving in the United States.
Until the White House provides further updates, the National Interest Exception still remains in place.
This blog is not intended to be legal advice and nothing here should be construed as establishing an attorney client relationship. Please schedule a consultation with an immigration attorney before acting on any information read here.
Monica Zafra
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