US exempts categories of students, academics, journalists from India travel ban

Certain categories of students academics journalists and individuals have been exempted from the India travel ban announced by President Joe Biden the US State Department saidThe exemptions were issued by Secretary of State Tony Blinken hours after Joe Biden issued a proclamation restricting travel from India beginning May 4 because of the extraordinarily high COVID19 caseloads and multiple variants circulating in the countryAccording to the US State Department the travel ban exemption is in line with a similar exemption that the US has granted to some categories of travellers from Brazil China Iran and or South AfricaIn keeping with the Department of States commitment to facilitate legitimate travel to the United States Secretary Blinken decided today to apply the same set of National Interest Exceptions to India that he had previously applied to all other regional travel restrictions currently in effect as a result of the COVID19 pandemic the State Department saidStudents seeking to commence studies in the fall academics journalists and individuals who provide critical infrastructure support in countries affected by a geographic COVID19 restriction may qualify for the exception it saidThis includes qualified applicants who have been present in India Brazil China Iran or South Africa it addedThe pandemic continues to limit the number of visas our embassies and consulates abroad are able to process it said As always visa applicants should check the website of the nearest embassy or consulate for the most uptodate information about visa appointment availability the State Department saidAs the global situation evolves the Department continues to seek ways to process more visa applications in line with sciencebased guidance from health authorities and with the health and safety of staff and applicants as our priority it saidIn a national interest exemption issued by the State Department on April 26 which it said is good for India too students with valid F1 and M1 visas intending to begin or continue an academic programme commencing August 1 or later do not need to contact an embassy or consulate to seek an individual exemption to travelThey may enter the United States no earlier than 30 days before the start of their academic studiesStudents seeking to apply for new F1 or M1 visas should check the status of visa services at the nearest embassy or consulateThose applicants who are found to be otherwise qualified for an F1 or M1 visa will automatically be considered for an NIE to travel it saidThe Department of State also continues to grant NIEs for qualified travellers seeking to enter the US for purposes related to humanitarian travel public health response and national securityThese travellers and any others who believe their travel to be in the United States national interest should also review the website of the nearest US embassy or consulate for instruction on how to contact them it saidIn another memorandum on April 8 the Secretary of State had determined that the travel of immigrants fianc e visa holders certain exchange visitors and pilots and air crew travelling to the United States for training or aircraft pickup delivery or maintenance is in the national interest for purposes of approving exceptions under the geographic COVID presidential proclamationsThese proclamations restrict the entry of individuals physically present within the 14day period prior to their attempted entry into the United States in the Peoples Republic of China Islamic Republic of Iran Schengen Area United Kingdom Republic of Ireland Federative Republic of Brazil or Republic of South AfricaThis article provides further details regarding this determination India has now been added to the listThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever