Skip to main content

Coronavirus Update: Department of State Announces Certain Exceptions to Travel Ban

By July 21, 2020March 13th, 2025COVID-19
Courtesy of Pexels, labeled for reuse, https://static.pexels.com/photos/9482/plane.jpg

The Department of State announced on July 16, 2020 travel ban exceptions to certain business travelers, investors, treaty traders, academics, and students. These travel ban exceptions apply to residents from the Schengen Area, United Kingdom, and Ireland.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States government issue travels bans to many countries including China, the Schengen countries, United Kingdom and Ireland, and most recently Brazil. Currently, none of the travel bans have been lifted.

The Department of State have announced that qualified business and student travelers who are applying for or have valid visas or ESTA authorization may travel to the United States even with the travel bans remaining in effect. Students traveling from the Schengen Area, the UK, and Ireland with valid F-1 and M-1 visas, do not need to seek a national interest exception to travel. Students from those areas who are traveling on a J-1 may contact the nearest embassy or consulate to initiate an exception request.

The Department of State also continues to grant National Interest Exceptions for qualified travelers seeking to enter the United States for purposes related to humanitarian travel, public health response, and national security.  Given the general travel ban is still in place, it is recommended that travelers contact airlines, airports, CBP, and other relevant agencies before traveling.

FREE Visa Resources

Click on the buttons below in order to claim your free Visa Guide (E-1, E-2, TN, EB-5, H-1B, L-1, PERM, NIW, EB-1, O-1, E-3), sign up for our free Webinar, join our Facebook Group, or watch our videos.

Download FREE Visa Guide
Sign Up For Our Webinar
Join Our Facebook Group
Watch Our Videos

Set up a Visa or Green Card Consultation

For a dedicated one-on-one consultation with one of our lawyers, click on the button below to schedule your consultation.

Schedule a consultation

This website and blog constitutes attorney advertising. Do not consider anything in this website or blog legal advice and nothing in this website constitutes an attorney-client relationship being formed. Set up a one-hour consultation with us before acting on anything you read here. Past results are no guarantee of future results and prior results do not imply or predict future results. Each case is different and must be judged on its own merits.

FREE IMMIGRATION RESOURCES

Guides icon

Guides
We have guides for most visas and green cards which you can download for free.

Download Guides
Webinar icon

Webinars
Sign up to one of our webinars that cover your visa or green card.

Sign Up Now
Videos icon

Videos
On our YouTube channel we hosts videos that cover most visas and green cards.

View Videos

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS?

If you’re navigating the complexities of immigration law, you don’t have to do it alone. Our experienced team is here to guide you through every step of the process with personalized solutions tailored to your unique situation. Whether you’re pursuing a visa, green card, or citizenship, we are committed to making your journey smoother. Schedule a consultation today to get the expert advice and support you deserve.

Schedule a Consultation
Schedule A Consultation FREE WEBINARS