Biden Administration to Rescind COVID-19 Travel Bans Starting Early November

The Biden Administration announced this week that it plans to ease travel restrictions on all international travelers coming into the United States from certain countries beginning in early November 2021. The administration will rescind the COVID-19 related travel bans implemented for individuals from China, Iran, the Schengen Area, U.K., Ireland, Brazil, South Africa, and India and will instead require vaccination.

Travel Bans to be Replaced by COVID-19 Vaccination and Test Requirements

It is expected that all international travelers will be required to prove that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as well as provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within three days of boarding a flight to the United States.

There will be limited exceptions such as for children; COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial participants; and humanitarian exceptions for people traveling for an important reason and who lack access to vaccination in a timely manner. Individuals who are exempted from the vaccine requirement may be required to be vaccinated upon arrival. The administration is also expected to make additional recommendations such as continuing the mask mandate for at least a few more months, expanding pre-departure and post-arrival testing requirements, and requiring contact tracing for airlines.

National Interest Exception (NIE) Waivers Continue To be Required for Affected Travelers Until New Policies Become Effective; Significant Volume of Applications and Visa Backlogs Expected After November

The administration is expected to provide more details for the changed requirements and the exact effective dates for the new rules; until then the current rules remain in place; specifically, travelers from countries who are currently subject to the COVID-19 travel ban must obtain a NIE waiver from the local US Consulate before traveling to the U.S.

We also caution our clients and readers who are affected by the current bans to recognize that there are likely going to be significant delays in visa scheduling and processing as a result of the lifting of these long-standing travel bans. Many travelers have been waiting for the lifting of the ban in order to travel and to apply for a U.S. visa; as a result, we urge planning early and carefully for international travels and applying for U.S. visas at consulates abroad.

Conclusion

Key details are to be announced and we will share as soon as they are announced, including the effective date of the policy change, which vaccines will be required, and what are the exact testing and entry requirements for foreign nationals into the U.S.

Our office will continue to monitor and report developments on this and related topics. Please do not hesitate to contact us or consider our consultation options.  Also, please subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to ensure that you obtain this and related immigration-related news and announcements.