Suspension of travel from India

Office of International Students and Scholars oiss@tulane.edu
View PDF

Suspension of travel from India

On April 30, 2021, President Biden signed a new proclamation suspending indefinitely the entry into the U.S. as non-immigrants of noncitizens who pose a risk of transmitting the coronavirus disease. Except for immediate family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents and others excluded in section 2, this proclamation suspends the entry into the United States, as non-immigrants, of noncitizens who were physically present within India during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States. The proclamation is effective at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 except for any aircraft that already departed prior to this effective time. India joins China, Iran, the European Schengen area, the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Brazil, and South Africa on the COVID-19 travel ban list.

National Interest Exemptions (NIE)

The U.S. Department of State has confirmed that India is included in the National Interest Exception (NIE) policies for students and certain academics covered by exchange visitor programs. The full NIE list now includes India, China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, the U.K., Ireland, and the European Schengen area.

  • It is exception that allows travelers from those countries to come to US.

  • It is exception that allows travelers from those countries to apply for a student visa, and the NIE will be applied automatically.

  • The NIE applies to all students from Ireland, Schengen and the UK.
  • It only applies to students from India, China, Iran, Brazil and South Africa if their program starts after August 1, 2021. 
    • If you are a continuing student in one of these countries who already has a valid visa for your study at Tulane, please reach out to your local consulate to ask if you qualify for a NIE and if you need to take any action to get an NIE.

OISS is saddened by the crisis in India and we are here to provide support. Please reach out to us at oiss@tulane.edu if we can be of assistance during this difficult time. We will provide updates as new information unfolds. Please continue to keep up-to-date with immigration changes via OISS's Immigration Announcements Updates and Travel Guidance for Current International Students during COVID-19 webpages.  Pay special attention to the Fragomen resource.