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:

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

Trump Administration Lifts Regional Covid-19 Bans for Europe and Brazil Starting Jan. 26 – Biden Team to Reverse

In conjunction with the January 26th effective date of CDC testing requirements of a negative Covid-19 test for all international travel to the United States, President Trump has issued a proclamation lifting the travel ban for Brazil, Schengen countries, Ireland and the United Kingdom. The previous bans affected foreign nationals who had been physically present in one of these countries within 14 days of travel to the US. If enacted, the presidential proclamation would mean that travelers from the above mentioned countries would no longer be required to seek exceptions from travel bans in order to travel. They would be required to comply only with the new CDC testing and documentation requirements also taking effect on January 26. However, the Biden team has stated that President-elect Biden will reverse this proclamation and retain all existing regional Covid-19 public health travel bans upon assuming office. This would mean that affected foreign nationals will continue to be subject to the regional bans and will also be required to comply with the CDC testing requirements in order to undertake international travel. Regarding the basis for lifting the bans, President Trump cited the administration’s confidence that Brazil, European Schengen countries, Ireland and the United Kingdom […]

Read More