European Travel Ban Exceptions

Following Biden's continuation of the European Ban, there has been development of a national interest exception. You qualify if you identify with any of the following categories:

• Public Health: Travel related to public health or health care professionals to alleviate effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, or to continue research in an area with substantial public health benefit

• Students: All students, and their dependents, traveling on F or M visas to pursue a full course of study or a J visa to participate in an exchange program

• Academics: All exchange visitors and their dependents traveling to the U.S. on J visas in the following categories: Professors, Research Scholars, Short-term scholars, or Specialists

• Investors: Travel related to investment or trade in the U.S. economy that generates economic impacts, including investors and treaty-traders on E visas and senior level employees who provide strategic direction toward success

• Economic: Temporary travel that provides a substantial economic benefit to the U.S. economy, including:

  • Technical experts and specialists focused on installing, servicing, maintaining, or receiving training for vessels, machinery, and other specialized equipment used by U.S. and foreign firms with a substantial investment in the United States. Travel is temporary in nature and for a defined period of time.

  • Senior-level managers and executives, and their dependents, who provide strategic direction necessary for the success of the company or venture.

  • Professional athletes, dependents, and essential staff who enter the United States to participate in major sporting events, which bolster the U.S. economy
    

Please reach out to see if you or a loved one qualify for the national interest exception to the European ban.