USDOS Expands COVID Travel Ban Waivers for F-1 Students

in Fall 2024 Workshops, Featured
April 26th, 2021

The US Department of State expanded eligibility for National Interest Exceptions (NIEs) from the COVID travel bans to include F-1 students travelling to the US from China, Iran, Brazil, or South Africa, if their academic program begins August 1, 2021 or later. F-1 students travelling to the US from the UK, Ireland and the Schengen countries continue to qualify for waivers from the COVID travel restrictions. This exemption from the 14-day COVID travel ban should be applied automatically to any F-1 student who is in the possession of a valid F-1 visa. See below for more details:

• F-1 students travelling to the US from China, Iran, Brazil, or South Africa who already have a valid F-1 visa, and are intending to begin, or continue an academic program commencing August 1, 2021 or later, do not need to contact an embassy or consulate to seek an individual NIE to travel. They may seek to enter the US with a valid passport, F-1 visa and I-20, no earlier than 30 days before the start of their academic studies.
• F-1 students travelling to the US from China, Iran, Brazil, or South Africa who do not have a valid F-1 visa, should follow instructions from the website of the nearest US Embassy or Consulate to either renew an expired F-1 visa or schedule an appointment to apply for a new F-1 visa.
• F-1 students travelling to the US from the UK, Ireland and the Schengen countries can continue to seek entry the US with a valid passport, F-1 visa and I-20.
• It is unclear how this new announcement will impact F-1 students seeking to enter the US during a period of approved OPT or STEM OPT.

All students are encouraged to refer to the current ISSO travel advisory for more details, check their immigration documentation carefully and contact their ISSO advisor should they have specific questions.