THE TRAVEL BAN:

Is the travel ban still in place?

Yes. As a reminder, the travel ban is effective since Friday, March 13, 2020. It was initially planned to last thirty (30) days but shall last longer until terminated by the President. As of today, it has not been terminated by the President.

Who is included in the travel ban?

The entry into the U.S., as immigrants or nonimmigrants (any holder of non-immigrant visas), of all aliens who were present in the Schengen Area,* including UK and Ireland, during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the U.S., is suspended.

*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, and Switzerland.

Who is not included in the travel ban?

- Any U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident – Green Card holder – of the U.S.;
- Any alien who is the spouse of a U.S. citizen or Legal Permanent Resident;
- Any alien who is the parent or legal guardian of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, provided that the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident is unmarried and under the age of 21;
- Any alien who is the sibling of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, provided that both are unmarried and under the age of 21;
- Any alien who is the child, foster child, or ward of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, or who is a prospective adoptee seeking to enter the United States pursuant to the IR-4 or IH-4 visa classifications;
- Any alien traveling at the invitation of the United States Government for a purpose related to containment or mitigation of the virus;
- Any alien traveling as a nonimmigrant pursuant to a C-1, D, or C-1/D nonimmigrant visa as a crew member or any alien otherwise traveling to the United States as air or sea crew;
- Any alien:

     (A) seeking entry into or transiting the United States pursuant to one of the following visas: A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3 (as a foreign government official or immediate family member of an official), E-1 (as an employee of TECRO or TECO or the employee’s immediate family members), G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO -1 through NATO-4, or NATO-6 (or seeking to enter as a nonimmigrant in one of those NATO categories); or
    (B) whose travel falls within the scope of section 11 of the United Nations Headquarters Agreement;
- Any alien whose entry would further important United States law enforcement objectives, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their respective designees, based on a recommendation of the Attorney General or his designee;
- Any alien whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their designees; or
- Members of the U.S. Armed Forces and spouses and children of members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

TRAVELLING ABROAD OVER THE SUMMER:

If I travel abroad over the summer, can I come back to the U.S.?

If you travel in a country which is part of the Schengen area, such as France, please be aware that under the Travel Ban, you may not be able to reenter the U.S. territory.

Please refer to “THE TRAVEL BAN” part above for more details.

THE REOPENING OF THE U.S. CONSULATES ABROAD:

Is it possible to get interviewed and to obtain a visa at a U.S. Consulate?

No. All appointments in June have been canceled in most U.S. Consulates abroad due to continued disruptions to normal visa operations caused by the ongoing global pandemic. Specifically, the U.S. Consulate in Paris do not foresee this issue going away until the Presidential Proclamation regarding COVID-19 and visa applicants from Schengen countries ceases to be in effect.

Is it possible to book an appointment at a U.S. Consulate?

Yes. You may continue to take open appointments in the system that may appear for late June or July, but please understand that these open appointments could be canceled in the future if the situation remains the same.

For more information, contact us at info@columbusconsulting-group.com.