Given the ongoing second wave of the Covid-19 virus in East India, President Biden has decided to temporarily suspend entry of nonimmigrants from India to the US by issuing a Regional Covid-19 related Presidential Proclamation. This means that any nonimmigrant who has physically been in East India in the last 14-days before their entry into the United States will not be allowed to enter. Flights to and from India will still be functional, however, those not exempt from these restrictions will not be allowed to enter.
When Will the Travel Restrictions Between East India and the US Begin?
The new travel restrictions will be imposed beginning May 4, 2021. There is no definite expiration date for this temporary restriction, however, it is expected that it will be removed once the Covid-19 infection rate declines significantly in East India.
Who Is Exempt from the Travel Restrictions Imposed Between East India and the US?
The following nonimmigrants will be exempt from the current travel restrictions between East India and the US, provided they still present a negative Covid-19 result on arrival:
- Lawful permanent residents or Green Card (US Permanent Resident Card) holders
- Noncitizen nationals of the US
- Foreign spouses of a US citizen or lawful permanent resident
- The foreign parent or legal guardian of a US citizen or lawful permanent resident provided they are unmarried and under the age of 21
- Foreign sibling of a US citizen or permanent resident, provided they are both unmarried and under the age of 21
- Any foreign national who is a child, foster child or ward or a prospective adoptee seeking to enter on an IR-4 or IH-4 visa of a US citizen or permanent resident
- Any noncitizen traveling to the US as a part of a sea or aircrew on a C-1, D or C-1/D nonimmigrant visa
- Any foreign national traveling to the US on 1 of the following visas:
- A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3 (a representative of a foreign government or their immediate relative)
- E-1 (employee of TECRO or TECO or their immediate family member)
- G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1 or any NATO categories
- Travel falls under the scope of Section 11 of the United Nations Headquarters Agreement
- Foreign national who is a member of the US Armed Forces or their immediate relative
- Any foreign national whose entry would be important to the US law enforcement objectives as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security or their respective designees and a recommendation from the Attorney General or his designee
- Any foreign national whose entry would be in the national interest as determined by the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security or their respective designees
