President Biden Adds India to the List of Regional Covid-19 Travel Bans

Effective May 4, 2021, foreign nationals who have been physically present in India within 14 days of travel to the United States will not be permitted entry, unless they qualify for an exception. For the list of certain foreign nationals who are not subject to the ban, please consult the Proclamation.

This same type of travel ban is already in effect for Brazil, China, Iran, Ireland, EU Schengen countries, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Like the other bans, the India travel restrictions will remain in place until terminated by the President of the United States (U.S.). Currently there is severely limited criteria and standards for nonimmigrants to pursue the national interest exception under the existing regional COVID travel bans.

As a reminder, regional COVID-19 travel restrictions are in addition to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) order that requires a negative COVID-19 test or evidence of recent COVID-19 recovery for any international air travel to the U.S. The CDC requirement affects all travelers seeking to enter the U.S. from abroad.

ISSS will continue to closely monitor any further development regarding these regional travel bans and communicate additional information when available.

Sources: Fragomen Immigration Alerts