National Interest Exceptions for Certain Travelers from the Schengen Area, United Kingdom, and Ireland
Last updated below on July 27, 2020-
Certain business travelers, investors, treaty traders, academics, and students may qualify for National Interest Exceptions (NIE) under Presidential Proclamations (PPs) 9993 (Schengen Area) and 9996 (United Kingdom and Ireland). Qualified business and student travelers who are applying for or have valid visas (or ESTA authorization for those who qualify) may travel to the United States even as PPs 9993 and 9996 remain 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.
Please note: Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has not confirmed that they will honor these national interest exceptions.
Please see the following updates/clarifications recently provided by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection:
F-1 students and J-1 students and scholars without valid visas should contact their nearest consulate to apply for one.
F-1 Students
Students applying for visas will automatically be granted the National Interest Exceptions (NIE) and issued an F-1 visa. The Department of State (DOS) will then transmit the information to the CBP, which will allow the students to board their plane and enter the U.S.
F-1 students residing in the Schengen area, UK or Ireland who already have a valid visa in their passport, will be allowed to board their plane and enter the U.S. They do not need to take any additional steps to notify CBP.
J-1 Students and Scholars
J-1 students and J-1 scholars should apply for the National Interest Exceptions (NIE) (which may or may not be approved) when they apply for their visa.
J-1 students and scholars with valid visas will still need a NIE to enter the U.S and should contact the U.S. consulate to request the waiver. If the NIE is approved, they will be able to enter the U.S.
The exemption only applies to individuals who are residing in and obtain their visas from US Embassies or consulates in the Schengen Area, the UK, or Ireland. Traveling to the Schengen area, the UK, or Ireland from any other country with a current travel restriction does not provide the exemption