Client Payment Portal

President Biden Replaces Country-by-Country Pandemic-Related Air Travel Restrictions With Vaccine Requirement

Nov 2, 2021 | Consular Services & Travel

For a complete picture of how this change relates to you, consider attending our webinar led by Managing Partner, Bernie Wolfsdorf, and Partner Avi Friedman on Nov. 18, 2021, at noon Pacific. All are welcome to join. Register here.

Effective November 8, 2021, a new Presidential Proclamation that governs the entry into the United States by air of “noncitizen nonimmigrants” revokes previous country-by-country restrictions applied during the COVID-19 pandemic and replaces them with a vaccination requirement.

The new policy suspends the entry of unvaccinated noncitizen nonimmigrants, except in limited circumstances, and “ensures that the entry of unvaccinated noncitizen nonimmigrants is consistent” with applicable health and safety determinations. These include, when appropriate, requiring that such individuals arrange to become fully vaccinated against COVID-19 upon arrival. Exceptions to the new policy include certain noncitizens with medical, humanitarian, or emergency issues, among other reasons.

Details:

Related Posts:

U.S. to Impose New Travel Restrictions on Certain African Countries

As a result of South Africa identifying a new variant of the COVID-19 virus, Omicron, the U.S. and numerous other countries have imposed new travel restrictions on certain countries in southern Africa effective Monday 12:01 a.m. EST, November 29, 2021. President Joe Biden indicated the restrictions were imposed “as a precautionary measure until we have more information.” Several other countries have followed imposing harsh restrictions on persons from or who have travelled to Southern Africa. Under the proclamation, the U.S. will bar entry to most foreign nationals who have been physically present in the past 14 days in either Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa or Zimbabwe.  There are a few exemptions, including: Any lawful permanent resident of the United States; Any noncitizen national of the United States; Any noncitizen who is the spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident; Any noncitizen who is the parent or legal guardian of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, provided that the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident is unmarried and under the age of 21; Any noncitizen who is the sibling of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, provided that both are unmarried and under the age of […]

Read More

Expansion of Interview Waiver Eligibility

Briefing: Secretary Pompeo, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, has temporarily expanded the ability of consular officers to waive the in-person interview requirement for individuals applying for a nonimmigrant visa in the same classification. Previously, only those applicants whose nonimmigrant visa expired within 12 months were eligible for an interview waiver.  The Secretary has temporarily extended the expiration period to 24 months. This policy is in effect until March 31, 2021.  This change will allow consular officers to continue processing certain nonimmigrant visa applications while limiting the number of applicants who must appear at a consular section, thereby reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission to other applicants and consular staff. Travelers are encouraged to review the website of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for detailed information on what services are currently available as well as eligibility information and instructions on applying for a visa without an interview.  Thank you. For questions about consular visa processing, please contact your WR attorney. Sources: U.S. Department of State, December 29, 2020, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/expansion-of-interview-waiver-eligibility.html See also: U.S. Department of State, December 30, 2020, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/phased-resumption-routine-visa-services.html

Read More