International Student and Scholar Services wishes to keep you informed of travel restrictions that may impact your ability to enter the United States. Below is a summary of the information we have at this point.
Several presidential proclamations suspend entry into the United States of noncitizens who were physically present in the following countries during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States.
- China (excluding the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau)
- India
- Iran
- Brazil
- South Africa
- The European Schengen Area (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City)
- The United Kingdom
- The Republic of Ireland
The U.S. Department of State has determined that certain nonimmigrants traveling from these countries may qualify for a National Interest Exception (NIE) to enter the United States. Some of the language from the Department of State (DOS) lacks clarity and we will reach out if we receive updated guidance.
National Interest Exception for Students in China, India, Iran, Brazil and South Africa
Eligibility for a National Interest Exception is contingent on the start date of your academic program.
New F-1 and J-1 students with an I-20 or DS-2019 start date on or after August 1, 2021: You should be eligible for the National Interest Exception. F-1 visa holders do not need to contact an embassy or consulate to seek an individual NIE to travel. J-1 visa holders would need to apply for an NIE through their local U.S. consulate before they can enter the U.S. F-1 and J-1 students in this category may enter the U.S. no earlier than 30 days before the start date on their I-20/DS-2019.
New F-1 and J-1 students with an I-20 or DS-2019 start date before August 1, 2021: We have heard reports of students in this category being denied visa interviews or not being able to board their planes to the U.S. If you will be studying online from outside the U.S. this summer, ISSS will work with you to issue you an updated I-20 or DS-2019 with a fall semester start date; please watch out for an email from us in the coming weeks with instructions on how to request this updated document. With your updated I-20/DS-2019, you should be eligible for the NIE. You will be eligible to enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to your I-20/DS-2019 start date.
Enrolled students in active F-1 or J-1 status currently outside the U.S.: We have heard reports of students in this category not being able to board planes to enter the U.S. You may need to wait until 30 days before the start of fall studies. This is an area where DOS’s language lacks clarity and we will message out if we receive updated guidance.
F-1 Students on OPT/STEM OPT: Since the NIE announcement refers only to entry “no earlier than 30 days before the start of academic studies,” it is unclear how this may apply to F-1 students on OPT or STEM OPT.
F-2 and J-2 Dependents: Based on the information provided by DOS, it appears that F-2 and J-2 dependents have the same eligibility for an NIE as the primary F-1/J-1 student. J-2 dependents will need to request an NIE from their local U.S. consulate.
National Interest Exception for Students in the European Schengen Area, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland
Eligibility for a National Interest Exception does not appear to be contingent on the start date of your academic program.
New and continuing F-1 and J-1 students: Based on language from the Department of State regarding the National Interest Exception, it appears that eligibility for the NIE being tied to the start date of studies (i.e., that the studies must begin August 1, 2021 or later) specifically applies to students in Iran, China, Brazil, South Africa, and India; It does not appear to apply to F-1/J-1 students in the European Schengen Area, the UK, or Ireland. This means new and continuing F-1 and J-1 students in the European Schengen Area, the UK, and Ireland should be eligible for an NIE regardless of when their studies begin. J-1 students will need to request an NIE from their local U.S. consulate. Please note that new F-1 and J-1 students can enter the U.S. no more than 30 days prior to the program start date on their I-20/DS-2019. If you are planning to travel to the U.S. from the Schengen Area, the UK, or Ireland, we recommend that you seek clarity and confirmation from your local consulate and airline as these conditions are subject to change.
F-1 Students on OPT/STEM OPT: It is unclear how the NIE may apply to F-1 students on OPT or STEM OPT.
F-2 and J-2 Dependents: Based on the information provided by DOS, it appears that F-2 and J-2 dependents have the same eligibility for an NIE as the primary F-1/J-1 student. J-2 dependents will need to request an NIE from their local U.S. consulate.
Is one considered a new F-1 student if one renews a visa in Germany over the summer?
Those who are beginning a new educational program are considered new students. If you are continuing an educational program while renewing your visa, you would be considered a continuing student.
How about student new to UT, but had been in other schools before the COVID-19? Are they counted as new F-1 student?
Is there any update on the rules for enrolled F-1 students returning from India? I will be enrolled in both Summer and Fall, and plan to travel to India next week and return on July 27th.